The High Court has ordered Michael Flatley to provide security for costs to a building company and a group of insurers defending his claim over restoration work at Castlehyde, County Cork. The court has not yet set the amount or conditions of that security.
In a judgment delivered on 15 August 2025, Ms Justice Eileen Roberts found that Flatley was ordinarily resident in Monaco, outside Ireland, the EU and the Lugano Convention states. The defendants’ applications were made under the rules for security for costs. They accepted, for the purpose of these applications, that they had a bona fide defence; the underlying claims have not been decided.
Flatley alleges that the restoration work carried out after a 2016 fire was defective, including because of alleged toxins, and that the property is uninhabitable. He claims the insurers are responsible for the building company’s work and alleges the insurers failed to disclose issues during settlement of the insurance claim. He seeks damages estimated at about €30 million and a declaration concerning the settlement agreement. The defendants deny his allegations.
The judge considered Flatley’s stated intention to return to Ireland, delay in bringing the applications, his claimed assets in the jurisdiction, access to court and assurance that he would pay any costs ordered. She concluded that none amounted to a special circumstance requiring refusal of security. The court treated a post-hearing affidavit from Flatley’s solicitor about a planned move to Ireland as hearsay, but proceeded on the assumption that Flatley had moved or would shortly move. It found there was insufficient evidence of practical arrangements for a long-term return, and that the stated move was conditional on his presidential ambitions.
The court also found that the defendants had raised security early and were entitled to consider information supplied by Flatley about his assets and Castlehyde’s value. It assessed Castlehyde at €9.5 million for this application, against secured debt of €7.9 million, leaving estimated equity of €1.6 million before realisation costs. The judge found that insufficient to cover the defendants’ estimated party-and-party costs of about €2.86 million. She did not accept a €20 million valuation relied on by Flatley as the best evidence.
Written submissions on the amount and conditions of security are due by 7 November 2025, with an oral hearing listed for 14 November. The parties may agree terms. The judge also gave Flatley liberty to apply to have the security order vacated if he becomes ordinarily resident in Ireland following success in his presidential ambitions. The judgment does not specify a security amount or determine the costs of these applications.