HAMILTON TURNER FEATURED IN IRISH TIMES

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

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

Farmers were ‘trying to extort’ billionaire brothers, High Court hears

Farmers alleged they were ‘bullied, intimidated and threatened’ by agents for brothers

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

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.

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HAMILTON TURNER FEATURED IN IRISH TIMES