Irish property developer Kevin McGeever held by police investigating alleged 'kidnap'

When he was found Mr McGeever had lost around five stone in weight, had a long beard, hair and nails and had to be treated for malnutrition

An Irish property developer who says he was kidnapped and held for eight months has been arrested for wasting police time.

Kevin McGeever was found badly emaciated and wandering barefoot on the side of the road near the Cavan-Leitrim border on January 29 this year. He had been reported missing by his partner last June.

When he was found Mr McGeever had lost around five stone in weight, had a long beard, hair and nails and had to be treated for malnutrition.

He reportedly told police he had been abducted at gunpoint from his home in May of last year.

According to some reports his alleged attackers wrote insults on his face.

Mr McGeever told the couple who found him that he didn't know what day it was, what month it was or what county he was in.

Before the economic downturn, Mr McGeever, who is originally from Swinford, Co Mayo, made his fortune selling luxury homes to expats in Dubai.

Police confirmed today that the 68-year-old former tycoon had been arrested by detectives investigating the alleged abduction.

He was arrested at his home in Craughwell, County Galway, yesterday and held under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act 1994, which contains provisions for wasting Garda (police) time and making false allegations.

He can be questioned at Gort Garda Station for 24 hours, excluding rest times, and can be released or charged later today.

A garda spokesman confirmed a 68-year-old man had been arrested in relation to the ongoing investigation into the abduction.