Singer Van Morrison yesterday lost his Supreme Court appeal against a High Court order which prevented him going ahead with plans to widen a communal driveway to his luxury home.
The High Court had found the singer had breached protective covenants (legal restrictions) when he set about widening the driveway to his house, Kilross, at Sorrento Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin. Mr Morrison appealed the findings to the Supreme Court.
The matter had been brought before the courts by his neighbours Alphonsus and Claudia O'Mara whose house Monte Alverno is the first house on the driveway, and who objected to aspects of Mr Morrison's plans.
They own the lower part of the driveway but there is a right of way leading to three other houses including Mr Morrison's residence which was bought from Henry A Crosbie in 1966 for IR500,000. The upper part of the driveway is owned by Mr Morrison.
In the High Court the O'Maras got an injunction restraining Mr Morrison from carrying out development except for work on the upper part of the driveway. No work was to be done on the lower driveway.
Mr Justice Geoghegan, giving the Supreme Court's decision, said MrMorrison's proposals showed very extensive changes to the driveway andit seemed reasonably obvious that the appearance and character of thedriveway would be significantly changed.