What lies behind the row at Tinakilly House – "duplicitous conduct" or a "desire to punish"? The High Court heard closing arguments in the bitter dispute between the co-owners of the Wicklow wedding resort, concluding it may not be possible to "neatly tie everything in a bow".
Recalled to give evidence, Gerard Lane accepted in a moment of anger he threatened Tinakilly House co-owner Denis Connolly that he would become the "partner from hell". However he denied this was motivating his case against his business partner.
Hotelier Denis Connolly told the High Court he decided to sell a Spanish hotel resort for €5.6m last year without notifying his business partner, citing "lawfare" and difficulties coping with proceedings as a lay litigant.
Denis Connolly, co-proprietor of the upmarket Wicklow wedding venue Tinakilly House, accepted under cross-examination that he used money advanced by his business partner to clear his own debts at a time when he was in financial difficulty.
Describing himself as a "budding, young sprightly 64 years of age”, Denis Connolly took the stand to give his side of the bitter hotel ownership row while independent expert Kieran Wallace elaborated on his concerns over the business's accounts.
More than 1,500 personal transactions worth over €4m flowed through a director’s loan account at Tinakilly House, a court has heard, as an expert accountant questioned the financial management of the Wicklow hotel and a related Spanish venture.
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