Singer Van Morrison yesterday lost his Supreme Court appeal against a High Court order which prevented him going ahead with plans to widen a communal driveway to his luxury home.
The High Court had found the singer had breached protective covenants (legal restrictions) when he set about widening the driveway to his house, Kilross, at Sorrento Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin. Mr Morrison appealed the findings to the Supreme Court.
The matter had been brought before the courts by his neighbours, Alphonsus and Claudia O'Mara, whose house, Monte Alverno, is the first on the driveway and who objected to aspects of Mr Morrison's plans.
They own the lower part of the driveway but there is a right of way leading to three other houses including Mr Morrison's home, which was bought from Henry Crosbie in 1966 for £500,000. The upper part of the driveway is owned by Mr Morrison.
In the High Court, the O'Maras got an injunction restraining Mr Morrison from carrying out development except for work on the upper part of the driveway. No work was to be done on the lower driveway.
Mr Justice Geoghegan said Mr Morrison's proposals showed very extensive changes to the driveway and it seemed reasonably obvious that the appearance and character of the driveway would be significantly changed. The matter had been before An Bord Pleanála which refused Mr Morrison permission.