THE 18TH Baron Inchiquin, head of the O’Brien clan, who this week secured what he claims is “a paper judgment” for €7.9 million against an insolvent company allegedly controlled by businessman Denis O’Brien, is now seeking to have Mr O’Brien and other alleged directors of the company made personally liable for the estimated €250,000 costs of the action.
Earlier this week, Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan awarded the €7.9 million damages to Conor Myles John O’Brien, Thomond House, Dromoland, the 18th Baron Inchiquin, against Trinity Property Holdings (TPH) over its repudiation of an agreement for the sale of 377 acres at Dromoland estate in Co Clare. The lands are separate to Dromoland Castle, which is on adjoining lands.
The case arose from a proposal, following alleged talks in 2006 between Denis O’Brien and Lord Inchiquin, for TPH to buy some 377 acres out of the 600-acre estate with a view to development.
Yesterday, the judge granted Lord Inchiquin liberty to bring a motion to have Denis O’Brien and other alleged directors of TPH – Kieran Walshe, John Ryall, David Sykes and Michael McNally – made personally liable for the costs of the action. Ms Justice Finlay Geoghegan adjourned the matter to a date later this month.