Abbeville, the former Malahide home of Charles Haughey, is close to selling in the coming weeks, though the deal has not yet gone sale agreed.

All concerned are remaining tight-lipped about the sale, but industry insiders say the estate which is asking €3 million has attracted the attention of a Hong Kong hotelier .

It’s understood that current negotiations are mainly about the land that comes with the house. It had been speculated that the former taoiseach’s Kinsealy homewas being eyed for its investment potential by several property development companies, attracted by competitive land prices .

Selling agent Sherry FitzGerald has been quoting €3 million for the house and 80 acres which is being sold by a receiver after the failure of Joe Moran’s Manor Park Homes.

Some developers would see the rambling Gandon mansion as a “burden” rather than a bonus, particularly if the planners insist that it should be restored as a condition for granting permission for a housing scheme.

Meanwhile, one property expert is convinced that Abbeville will be bought as a farming enterprise or an equestrian centre because of Fingal County Council’s reluctance to grant planning permission for a housing estate on such a hallowed green belt in north Dublin.