U2 Star Clayton Investigates Assistant Over 'Missing Millions'

The bassist has secured a temporary court order in his native Dublin, Ireland to freeze Carol Hawkins' assets after she allegedly stole up to $2.56 million (£1.6 million) from his accounts.

Clayton is said to have fired Hawkins last month (Nov09) after she confessed to "misappropriating" some of the star's money and subsequent investigation allegedly found she had been using the musician's credit and debit cards for herself.

On Friday (18Dec09) Dublin's High Court heard allegations Hawkins used Clayton's money to buy an apartment in New York City and fund holidays for her family.

Hawkins admits using Clayton's cards, but disputes the sums of money involved.

The star's lawyers secured an order from the court forbidding Hawkins from reducing her assets, and the judge adjourned the case until Monday (21Dec09).