Settlement is reached in land dispute

An out-of-court settlement has been reached in a case in which a Co Sligo farmer claimed ownership of lands surrounding a house once owned by Mr Charles Haughey.

Members of the Haughey family settled their civil claim against the farmer, Mr David Warren, after a hearing into the matter was adjourned at Sligo District Court on Tuesday.

A Dublin businessman gifted the house at Lislarry, Co Sligo, to Mr Haughey in 1972. It was used for a while as a holiday home but sold later after Mr Haughey incurred massive tax liabilities.

Mr Warren, of Ardtrasna, Ballinfull, lodged a claim to the surrounding nine acres and refused to give them up. Ownership of the house passed to Larchfield Securities Ltd in 1980. Two of the company's directors, Mr Conor and Ms Eimear Haughey, along with Mr Charles Haughey's sister, Ms Maureen Haughey, were present in court this week for the proceedings taken by Larchfield.

Larchfield claimed constant possession of the lands since 1972. In that year, Mr Haughey agreed to let Mr Warren use part of the lands for cattle grazing in return for acting as caretaker of the house, the company claimed.

When it assumed ownership of the property in 1980, Larchfield sought an order requiring Mr Warren to vacate and demanded damages for trespass.

In his counter-claim, Mr Warren alleged Larchfield was not the owner of the land. He denied the existence of any agreement with Mr Haughey or that he was trespassing.

As the exclusive occupier for the past 14 years, he had acquired ownership by adverse possession, Mr Warren claimed.

The case was called before Judge Carroll Moran but adjourned to allow discussions to take place. After an hour, the judge was told a settlement had been reached. Neither side would comment yesterday, saying the agreement was subject to a confidentiality clause.

In 1986, a dispute between the Haugheys and the family of Luton-born property developer, Mr Tom Gilmartin, led to a strip of land being transferred to Mr Gilmartin's mother, Kathleen.