In 2002, homebuilder Matthew Farrell was scouting around for development land. It was the high-boom period and property was king. In October of that year, the Cavan businessmen got lucky. His father James Farrell was introduced to Tom McFeely, the IRA hunger striker turned millionaire developer, later known for the fire-trap Dublin apartments Priory Hall, and his decline into bankruptcy.  But at this point, McFeely was still on top. There were talks and Farrell struck a deal, in principle, to buy an 11-acre site with planning permission in Gortnakesh, Co Cavan from McFeely. Druminiskin Developments was the company he subsequently…

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