Courts / Tipperary / Report
'Lying is what happened here': John Magnier ordered to pay over €4M legal costs in land row
Summary
At the High Court, Mr Justice Max Barrett ordered John Magnier, JP Magnier, and Katherine Wachman to pay estimated €4 million in legal costs following their failed 19-day challenge to the sale of a Tipperary estate. The applicants had sought to enforce a purported €15 million 'handshake deal' with Richard Thomson-Moore, while the Barne Estate defendants alleged no such agreement existed and subsequently sold the land to Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. In a costs hearing, the judge awarded exceptional costs at the higher legal practitioner-client level, stating that the plaintiffs had 'lied' in their accounts and changed their story when initial evidence was found to be 'demonstrably untrue.' The judge described this conduct as a 'disrespect' of the court and the defendants. Counsel for the Magnier side, Paul Gallagher SC, rejected allegations of 'lawfare' and described his client as a man of honour, while opposing counsel Martin Hayden SC argued the Magnier side acted on a false premise. The Magnier side has indicated an intention to appeal the judgment delivered last September. The matter was adjourned regarding the appeal process, and the judge noted no criticism of the legal teams on either side.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Lying is what happened here': John Magnier ordered to pay over €4M legal costs in land row. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- August 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 22, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-12-12 Publication
Why: The offer from Mr Regan was accepted by the Thomson-Moores because they wanted to complete the deal so they could move to Australia to attend to the health needs of their son, the court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Applicant
Applicant
Applicant
Places mentioned
- Tipperary
- Tipperary estate
- Century estate
- Barne Estate
- High Court
- Barne Estate
Topics
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