Judge Max Barrett to decide on Barne Estate by October

After almost nine weeks of evidence, Mr Justice Max Barrett has retired to consider the legal arguments put forward in one of the highest profile arguments over land in years.

Bloodstock billionaire John Magnier, his son JP Magnier and daughter Katherine Wachman sought to have the court enforce a deal which they say was a binding agreement between Mr Magnier and Mr Richard Thomson-Moore of Barne Estate.

Mr Thomson-Moore and associated Barne companies, Barne Estate Ltd, IQ EQ One, IQ EQ Two and IQ EQ Ltd, have argued that Mr Thomson-Moore had no authority to conclude a deal on the night of 22 August 2023 and that the now-contested deal of €15m required the approval of Barne Estate’s Jersey-based trustees.

The trial saw not one, but two, billionaires, take the stand in recent weeks.

John Magnier was questioned over three days about his evidence and recollections of the handshake agreement and the actions of his Coolmore team in the days and weeks following it.

Last week US-based construction mogul Maurice Regan – a major player in the dispute over Barne Estate but not a party to the High Court proceedings – was also questioned about his role.

Mr Regan agreed to pay €22.25m for the 751ac estate weeks after John Magnier believed he had sealed the deal to add the property to his extensive Tipperary landbank.

Mr Magnier has accused Richard Thomson-Moore and the Barne side of breaking an exclusivity agreement with Mr Magnier by entertaining bids from the New York-based Mr Regan, who also owns hundreds of acres in south Tipperary.

The confrontation between Mr Regan and Mr Magnier was described in court as a “war” over Barne Estate.

During the trial, the court heard evidence of a ‘secret’ phone, distressing family circumstances, and enraged and agitated bidders on all sides of the Barne Estate sale.

Mr Justice Max Barrett will now sift through the evidence and legal arguments before coming to a conclusion which will determine who will be the next owner of the south Tipperary tillage farm.

His judgment is expected in October.