£13m bid for The Island `an absolute non-starter'

An offer of £13 million for their club is being viewed by officials of The Island as "an absolute non-starter

An offer of £13 million for their club is being viewed by officials of The Island as "an absolute non-starter." And it is highly unlikely it will get to the stage of being voted on by the members.

"The land isn't ours to sell," said John Grant, honorary secretary of the men's club, while explaining that the club operate on a sporting lease from Fingal Co Council. Only small sections of the 150-acre site belong to the club, which was founded 110 years ago.

About an hour before last Tuesday's club council meeting, the surprise bid came in a letter from Goodbody Solicitors, indicating that they represented three business people. "It was discussed briefly and noted in the minutes," said Grant. "Even at this stage, we have no way of knowing whether the attempt to buy the club and its facilities is genuine."

He went on: "My personal view is that it's an absolute non-starter and the initial feed-back from the members confirms that view. So I don't think it's even worth while putting it to them." Were the club to vacate the site and move elsewhere, it is believed the objective would be to develop an area which is a prime housing location, close to Malahide.

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In a package totalling £13 million, each ordinary member of the club - about 390 including women who recently gained equal status - would receive £26,000; 120 retired members would each get £16,000 and others £8,000 each.