Former Irish rugby international Victor Costello, who had been cited in numerous news reports as having endorsed Kendar, told the Sunday Tribune that he did not have a relationship with Lynn. Costello said it had been incorrectly reported in a national newspaper that he attended a public relations launch event for Kendar to which he had been invited, and that a file photo of him at a different event had accompanied the story.

"I have never had any involvement or endorsed anything to do with Kendar, " Costello said. "My name was incorrectly used as to me attending a PR launch some years ago, which I did not attend. I tried to correct this then and I intend to correct it again now."

Costello said he had sent a letter to Lynn instructing him not to use him in promotional materials over two years ago. Kerry GAA star and auctioneer Darragh O Se also never endorsed Kendar, despite what Lynn had told this newspaper in 2005, O Se said.

Willie Joe Padden, the Mayo-based auctioneer and former GAA star, became the face of the Kendar Overseas Property Network, appearing with AC Milan and Portugal football star Rui Costa in a full-page ad in the programme for the 2004 All-Ireland Football Final.

Last week Padden also distanced himself from Lynn.

Through his solicitors Padden released a statement to the Mayo News in which he claimed he is owed "substantial monies" by Lynn. Padden said he was approached approximately two years ago by Lynn to act as an agent in selling overseas property.

"Mr Lynn set up a company for this purpose and appointed me as a director.

My duties were to market the property and pass on enquiries to Mr Lynn who negotiated the sales and thereafter I had no further involvement with the transaction, " the statement said.

Padden claims that he terminated his relationship with Lynn six months later.