Courts / Ireland / Report

Concerns over upkeep of valuable art works

Date
2021-03-05

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Summary

The High Court is hearing a dispute over the care of artworks owned by the late businessman Hugh James Tunney. The estate, represented by solicitor and executor Brian Baily, claims that the valuable paintings – including works by Jack B Yeats, John Lavery, Roderick O'Connor and August Von Heckel – are at risk because the property where they are stored is damp and potentially vulnerable to theft. The estate also alleges that Ms Caroline Devine, who was a partner of Mr Tunney and has been granted certain rights to his estate, has obstructed their access to the items. The applicants seek injunctions to obtain possession of the paintings and the property, and to prevent Ms Devine from carrying out work at the site without consent. The case was adjourned after Ms Devine's lawyers offered undertakings, and the judge encouraged mediation before the next hearing.