Alan O’Neill wins garage ownership ruling in exotic pets dispute

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Alan O’Neill and June Finnegan were declared owners of the garage used for exotic pets by the High Court on 16 May 2024, with the parties’ consent.

The garage adjoins the couple’s home in Portarlington, Co Laois. Mr Justice David Nolan declared that a mistake had left them unregistered and that Drumgoan Developments Limited was not the garage’s owner.

At the May hearing, contempt proceedings against Noel Martin Snr were adjourned to June. The judge said he would decide whether Martin Snr was in contempt and, if so, what sanction to impose.

The High Court subsequently found that Martin Snr had wilfully breached its orders and awarded full costs against him, Darren Martin and Drumgoan Developments Limited. Martin Snr appealed the decision.

On 28 July 2025, the Court of Appeal dismissed all appeals in the case. The appeals included challenges concerning the High Court’s handling of contempt applications against Martin Snr and Drumgoan Developments Limited.