Broadcaster Gay Byrne will give evidence in the High Court this week in a case involving a multi million euro claim over planning permission and proposed redevelopment of a site in Tallaght.
Mr Byrne is a member of a five- man partnership which, together with another five-man partnership, acquired a two acre site in Tallaght in the early 1990s. In 2003 they became involved in the possibility of redeveloping the site.
The Wood Partnership, of which Mr Byrne is a member, and the White Partnership, have sued Spain Courtney Doyle Commercial Ltd and its directors, David G Courtney and Bernard T Doyle.
The court was told the assets and affairs of the two partnerships are organised and managed by Quinlan Private Asset Management of Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Spain Courtney Doyle Commercial Ltd (SCD) is a property advice company with offices at Waterloo Road, Dublin.
The case is being heard by Mr Justice Peter Kelly in the Commercial Court, the commercial division of the High Court, and is expected to last two weeks. Mr Byrne is expected to give evidence.
The case revolves around the two partnerships acquiring two adjoining properties at the junction of Belgard Road and Blessington Road in Tallaght in the early 1990s and an application for planning permission on the site.
It is claimed that in January 2003, Quinlan Private, acting on behalf of the partnerships, approached SCD to discuss the possibility of redeveloping the Tallaght site.
It is claimed it was agreed SCD would be engaged to conduct a financial appraisal of the potential redevelopment on a "no-foal no-fee basis".
The gross development value of the site was believed to €93 million and the total construction costs on the site were expected to be more than €50 million, the court heard.