The High Court has allowed Murphy Agri Machinery Ltd to be added as a defendant to long-running proceedings involving Murphys Garage Headford Ltd and John Murphy.
Tom Jordan’s original case dates to 2013 and arises from his former employment with Murphys Garage Headford Ltd, referred to in the ruling as “Old Co”. A trial had been fixed for July 2025, but was vacated after Jordan was told in June that a receiver had been appointed over the company.
His solicitors then investigated its relationship with Murphy Agri Machinery Ltd, or “New Co”, which operates from the same Horsevalley, Headford address. Jordan alleges that New Co was used to take over Old Co’s business and assets to frustrate creditors, including his own claim.
The existing defendants deny that allegation. They say the companies are separate businesses trading at arm’s length and argued that the proposed claim was delayed, unnecessary and statute-barred.
Mr Justice Garrett Simons did not decide whether Jordan’s allegations are true. At this procedural stage, the question was only whether he had a “stateable case” — in other words, a claim with enough legal and factual foundation to justify being heard.
The court found that threshold was met. Financial records exhibited by Jordan showed net transfers from Old Co to New Co of about €534,000 in each of 2023 and 2024. The court also noted Old Co’s negative financial position, New Co’s reported net assets of approximately €497,597, their shared premises and family connections.
Those facts could support an inference of improper asset transfers, the judge held, although that remains entirely for the trial court to determine.
The court also refused to rule at this stage that the claim was out of time. Disputes remain over when Jordan knew, or reasonably could have known, of the alleged conduct.
Murphy Agri Machinery Ltd will therefore be joined as a co-defendant. Jordan was also permitted to amend his pleadings, with further case-management directions listed for July 31, 2026.