The High Court has ordered tree surgeon Sean Davis to leave two fields at Hanlon’s Lane, Tiknock, after finding that he harassed and intimidated Julie McGinn by secretly installing cameras on her family’s land.
John McGinn owns the 3.72-hectare property and his daughter Julie manages it on his behalf. Davis began grazing horses there in 2020 under an informal arrangement. From January 2021, he was permitted to use the fields in return for supplying coal and wood and carrying out maintenance work.
Relations deteriorated in early 2023. The court found that Davis installed security cameras around the fields without the McGinns’ consent. Julie McGinn had originally bought the cameras for him, using money he supplied, believing they were intended for land he owned at Curtlestown Lower in County Wicklow.
From April 2023, Davis sent her screenshots taken by the cameras while she was walking or working on her own land. Bradley J accepted that this conduct amounted to harassment and intimidation.
The McGinns terminated the grazing arrangement in May 2023 and required Davis to leave by July 1. More than two years later, his sheep and property remained on the fields.
Davis had also erected three sheds. An engineer called by the McGinns described them as poorly constructed, visually unsightly and of little value beyond firewood and scrap. The judge accepted that evidence.
Davis argued that representations had given him a 10-year leasehold or proprietary interest in exchange for €50,000 and sought compensation for money and work allegedly invested. The court rejected that counterclaim, finding no basis for estoppel or any proprietary interest.
Bradley J held that the 40-day termination notice was reasonable for the grazing arrangement. He ordered Davis to vacate the fields, remove livestock, vehicles, equipment and structures within two months, and restrained further trespass.
Julie McGinn was awarded €8,000 general damages and €2,000 exemplary damages, offset by €1,000 for fencing and other work carried out by Davis. Costs were left for a later hearing.