Proprietor to outline honouring of contract

A MAN described by a High Court judge as having “a frenetic obsession” with acquiring “more and more properties” across Ireland, Europe and the US has been given a week to outline how he intends to comply with a court order to honour a 2006 contract to buy Tallaght Service Station, from Esso Ireland Ltd, for €5.3 million.

Otherwise, John O’Connor was told, he faces prison for contempt.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly said yesterday he found it “incredible” that Mr O’Connor, in an earlier statement of assets, had omitted a list of properties, including 27 units at County Chambers, Northampton, England, and other properties at Prince Edward Terrace, Blackrock, Co Dublin; Bettystown Lodge, Co Meath; Phoenix View, James Street, Bridgewater Hall, Summerhill Parade, all in Dublin; a property at Straffan, Co Kildare; and a “house in Wexford”.

Mr O’Connor, Salzburg, Ardilea, Clonskeagh, Co Dublin, also said he had omitted to include some syndicated investments at Bedfont Lakes, UK, and at Hagues Port, The Hague, the Netherlands.

In reply to the judge, Mr O’Connor said he “totally forgot” he had the properties listed, while others were syndicated. He agreed he had annual rental income of some €4.3 million, and his own personal income of €90,000 a year.

A schedule of other assets of Mr O’Connor’s includes three shops in Sweden; an office and 19 apartments in Brussels; 12 apartments in Nice; a property in Portugal; horses; a large number of development sites in Dublin, including at Dalkey, Blackrock and Glenageary; and a number of properties in Dublin including at Thomas Street, North Frederick Street, Ranelagh Road, Serpentine Avenue, Mountjoy Square and Eagle Lodge, Rathmines.

The judge told Mr O’Connor it was “almost astonishing” to expect the court to believe he was unable to pay sums due to Esso Ireland. He warned Mr O’Connor he had one more week to outline how he intended to comply.