Killeen Castle sale dispute adjourned as parties seek mediation

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Businessman Patrick White claimed that developer Joe O’Reilly and his Castlethorn Construction group had wrongfully failed to complete the sale of Killeen Castle in Co Meath. The proceedings were reported on 18 October 2021.

Mr White and his companies, Killeen Project Management Co and KC Killeen Holdings, brought High Court proceedings seeking completion of the sale by Mr O’Reilly and fellow Castlethorn director John Fitzsimons. Castlethorn Construction Unlimited Co, Sasula Unlimited Co and Socnule Unlimited Co were also defendants.

An application to admit the case to the fast-track Commercial Court was adjourned to the following month after Mr Justice Denis McDonald was told the parties were seeking to resolve the dispute through mediation.

Mr White said he had a revised agreement from March 2020 to buy the property for €18.5 million, with the Castlethorn side retaining 30 sites. His plans for the 600-acre property at Dunsany included a 177-bed hotel, leisure centre, golf course and 130 housing units.

The report said Castlethorn had stated in November 2020 that it would not proceed with the deal. Mr White said he had already spent €921,000 on it, including on planning and design.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.