An 11-year-old Swiss boy, whose father was the former owner of an Irish stud farm and who died from malaria in Kenya two years ago, is to inherit £200,000, the High Court was told yesterday.
Christian Philip Clarke, who lives in St Moritz with his mother, is the son of Mr William Patrick Clarke, late of Cleaboy Stud, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
In an affidavit, Mr John H. Dockrell, the Dublin solicitor acting for the boy, said Mr Clarke died on January 23rd, 1996 while on holiday in Kenya with his girlfriend, Ms Lynn Alexander.
Mr Clarke had married Ms Barbara Michaela Keller in July 1981 and they divorced in Switzerland in 1992.
Mr Brian Speerin, for Mr Dockrell, said that as the boy's mother was domiciled in Switzerland, the divorce was recognised in Ireland. Christian was the only child of the marriage and was the sole beneficiary of the estate.
It had taken some time for the release of the assets of the estate, the stud farm, and there had been a claim by a woman with whom Mr Clarke had a relationship.
Mr Justice O'Sullivan made an order for the payment of the £200,000 to the mother of the boy.