Courts / Wicklow / Report
Judge rejects latest claims over data centre lands in 10-year legal 'saga'
Summary
In a High Court hearing on 26 April 2024, Mr Justice Michael Twomey dismissed the latest claim by brothers Brian and Maurice McDonagh against Fane Investments Ltd, Quanta Capital Investments Ltd and director Mel Sutcliffe over an 82‑acre site at Mount Kennedy, Kilpedder, Co Wicklow. The brothers alleged a 2017 agreement to form a 50‑50 partnership with Quanta to develop a data centre, but the judge held that the agreement was conditional and never became legally binding, having been terminated in March 2018. The McDonaghs had bought the land in 2007, failed to repay a mortgage to Ulster Bank, and the bank appointed a receiver in 2014. Fane purchased the land from the receiver in 2021 for €3 million plus a deferred 25 % profit share. The brothers also sued Ulster Bank for an alleged inadequate sale price, but the judge found no expert evidence and upheld the bank's Isaac Wunder orders.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Judge rejects latest claims over data centre lands in 10-year legal 'saga'. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- March 2018 Other
- 2024-04-26 Publication
Why: Represented by Imogen McGrath SC and Frederick Gilligan BL, the defendants claimed the agreement never became legally binding because the McDonaghs failed to perform certain conditions included in the proposed partnership deal. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Applicant
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Company claims former owner trespassing on lands earmarked for data centre
- Court upholds €22m judgement against three brothers
- Supreme Court clears way for extradition of alleged Silk Road administrator
- Alleged Silk Road administrator brings Supreme Court appeal against US extradition
- Supreme Court to hear alleged Silk Road administrator's extradition appeal
- Alleged Silk Road administrator to seek Supreme Court appeal over US extradition
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request