Courts / Tipperary / Report
Barne deal became 'head-wrecking' with legal threats from both sides - High Court hears from estate agent
Summary
In a High Court hearing, estate agent John Stokes testified about a disputed purchase of the Barne Estate, a 751‑acre Tipperary property. John Magnier, a bloodstock billionaire, claims he secured a €15 million handshake agreement with Richard Thomson‑Moore on 22 August 2023, and is suing Thomson‑Moore and Barne Estate Ltd for the deal's collapse. Stokes denies that he informed trustees of the estate about the offer, stating he had no contact details for them and that any agreement was subject to trustee approval. He also says he received a €50 000 payment in September 2023 intended for the Thomson‑Moore beneficiaries, which was later returned. Stokes describes the negotiations as "head‑wrecking" and notes that an exclusivity period ended when a rival offer of €20 million, later €22.25 million, was made by construction magnate Maurice Regan. The case remains before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Barne deal became 'head-wrecking' with legal threats from both sides - High Court hears from estate agent. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- August 22, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2023 Other
- September 7, 2023 Other
- October 2023 Other
- 2025-07-27 Publication
Why: In evidence Mr Magnier said it was not directly returned to him but Mr Stokes claimed it was because Mr Magnier told him that the €50K was apart from the deal, was for access to the land and that the Thomson-Moores were still welcome to it. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Tipperary
- Paul Neilan An estate
- Barne Estate
- Tipperary estate
- The estate
Topics
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