Murnaghan costs ruling next week

The High Court will give its decision next week as to who should pay the costs of an action in which solicitor Mr Denis Murnaghan…

The High Court will give its decision next week as to who should pay the costs of an action in which solicitor Mr Denis Murnaghan was awarded damages of €238,909 after claiming that his former home was severely damaged during the building of an apartment complex next door.

Mr Murnaghan had sought damages for more than €1 million in his action against Markland Holdings Ltd, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, a development company involving developer Mr Seán Mulryan and Cantier Construction Ltd, Limerick, which went into voluntary liquidation last year.

The solicitor was owner of a mews at 5 Pembroke Place, Dublin, from the mid-1970s until July last. Markland Holdings owns 70 Leeson Close, abutting the mews, where construction work began in November 2002.

Following submissions yesterday in relation to the costs, Ms Justice Laffoy said she would give her decision some day next week. Counsel for Mr Murnaghan had applied for the costs of the hearing, which went on for 12 days, and some preliminary items. Lawyers for the defendants argued that Mr Murnaghan should not be granted his full costs.