Courts / Tipperary / Report

Land rival wrote text saying he hoped news article would give John Magnier a 'heart attack', court hears

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 30 July 2025, construction magnate Maurice Regan, who outbid John Magnier for the Barne Estate in Tipperary, admitted to sending a WhatsApp message in October 2023 to a third party hoping a newspaper article would give Magnier a "heart attack". Regan appeared before Mr Justice Max Barrett and was questioned by Paul Gallagher SC, who represented Magnier. Regan said the message was a "light humour" remark and that he had no knowledge of an exclusivity agreement that had been in place between 31 August and 30 September 2023. He denied funding the Thomson‑Moore defence, claimed he had been blocked from bidding, and said he had never been told of the exclusivity clause. The court heard that Magnier seeks to enforce a €15‑million handshake deal he alleges was signed with Richard Thomson‑Moore, while the estate trustees and Thomson‑Moore deny any such agreement existed. The dispute remains ongoing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Land rival wrote text saying he hoped news article would give John Magnier a 'heart attack', court hears. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 22, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 31 Other
• September 30, 2023 Other
• 2025-07-30 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report