Legal

Boom-time property investor loses case against Dublin 4 neighbour over right of way

The four-day trial heard claims about a Dublin 4 ‘ransom strip’ of land, a Bentley and an alleged demand for a €2 million house

Liam Smith (left) and Larry Fenelon (right) and the laneway on Shrewsbury Park, Ballsbridge. The dispute was holding up a development worth more than €15 million, claims one of the parties. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Boom-time era property investor Liam Smyth has lost a High Court battle with his solicitor neighbour over a right of way claim on a laneway behind their Dublin 4 properties.

Mr Justice Oisín Quinn said Smyth’s interpretation that a 1955 deed would amount to a grant of a right of way “would not accord with common sense”. He said the claim must fail.

“The tentacles of common sense should reach all corners of the deed,” ...