Fri, Sep 22, 2017, Aodhan O'Faolain,  Ray Managh

Two Co Dublin farmers were “trying to extort” money from a company owned by billionaire brothers Luke and  Brian Comer , the  High Court  was told on Thursday.

Martin Hayden SC, counsel for Leixlip-based Sainfoin Property Company of which the Comers are directors, made the remark when he successfully had an injunction granted against their firm thrown out.

Farmers  Rory Bridgette , of Sandy Hill Way,  Ballymun , and  Albert Murphy , from Furry  Park , Cloghran, obtained the injunctions on Monday last after alleging they had been “bullied, intimidated and threatened” by agents of the billionaire businessmen in a row over a five acre field at Turnapin near Dublin Airport.

The farmers claimed they used the lands for grazing their horses and ponies and had been granted the injunction restraining alleged threats or trespass by Sainfoin “or its agents” on them or the lands.

When the matter returned before the court on Thursday  Mr Hayden , who appeared with solicitor Andrew Turner, said there was no evidence to support the claims made by the two farmers.

Mr Hayden said the farmers were trying to extort money from the company. He said Bridgette had told the company’s representative that he wanted substantial compensation before moving off the land as he had rights to the field. 

He said the land clearly belonged to Sainfoin Property and the two farmers were the trespassers.

Mr Hayden told Ms  Justice Eileen Creedon  that the two farmers had no rights or interest in the land which the company had purchased as part of a deal for 230 acres in 2014. 

Judge Creedon  said she was discontinuing the injunction on the basis she preferred the evidence tendered on behalf of the company.

‘Scandalous’

Mr Hayden said there was no evidence the two farmers had, as they claimed, occupied the field since the early 2000’s or that the previous owner had been aware they had been occupying the land.