Magnier drops plan to appeal Barne Estate ruling

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

John Magnier has dropped his plan to appeal the High Court ruling in the Barne Estate case, saying the decision was made on pragmatic grounds. The contemplated appeal would have challenged the judge’s factual and legal findings, rather than sought enforcement of the land deal or damages.

The ruling found that no land-sale or option agreement had been concluded and dismissed the action. In December 2025, Mr Justice Max Barrett ordered Magnier to pay the sellers’ legal costs, estimated at more than €4 million. The judge awarded exceptional costs at the higher legal practitioner-client level, saying false evidence had been given and that the plaintiffs had changed their story when it was found to be untrue.

Magnier’s February 2026 statement said he firmly disagreed with the judge’s findings, maintained that he had acted in good faith and considered the judge’s subsequent remarks unjustified. It said the Magniers would no longer pursue a claim over the land and that an appeal might be legally moot.