Courts / Dublin / Report

'Am I up to my oxters?': Judge threatens to remove socialite Marcus Sweeney from court for 'being a nuisance'

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 19 February 2025, Judge Alexander Owens confronted Celtic Tiger restaurateur Marcus Sweeney, 47, over his attempts to re‑enter a settled Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) case concerning EWM Property Holdings Ltd's acquisition of Co Meath land. Owens described Sweeney as "up to his oxters" for associating with organised crime figures and reiterated that the CAB had already settled the case. Sweeney insisted it was not settled, but the judge dismissed his submissions, stating he had no "hint nor hair" of what Sweeney sought. Owens warned that a duty guard would remove Sweeney for being a nuisance and that any new application would require proper affidavits and a notice of motion. Sweeney left the courtroom after the judge's refusal to entertain his claims. The judge had previously issued interlocutory orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 regarding the property.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Am I up to my oxters?': Judge threatens to remove socialite Marcus Sweeney from court for 'being a nuisance'. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• March 2023 Other
• January 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-02-19 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report