Case of land 'ruined' by soil is settled

A FARMER who claimed 13 acres of land once worth €400,000 are now worthless, and which could cost €1 million to restore because…

A FARMER who claimed 13 acres of land once worth €400,000 are now worthless, and which could cost €1 million to restore because a contractor had deposited low-quality sub-soil, has settled his High Court proceedings.

Oliver McCoy and his wife Carmel, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, had sued Jons Moneley Venture Limited, Duleek, Co Meath, arising from an alleged agreement to landfill part of their farm with soil dug from roadworks.

When the hearing resumed on its fourth day yesterday, Hugh Mohan SC, for the McCoys, said the case had been settled and could be struck out. No terms of settlement were disclosed.

Mr McCoy had claimed he asked the defendant to fill low-lying parts of his land with sub-soil. He claimed the contractor deposited unsuitable sub-soil on his field by mistake. The defendant denied there was anything wrong with the land or that any restoration works were required.