Irish tycoons eye celebrity rehab centre

A PRIVATE nursing home group owned by John Magnier and JP McManus is eyeing up a takeover of The Priory, the London clinic best known for treating celebrities with drug habits.

Barchester Healthcare which is owned by Irish racing magnates John Magnier and JP McManus, billionaire financier Dermot Desmond and former Kerry Group chairman and chief executive Denis Brosnan is interested in buying The Priory when it comes up for sale later this year.

The Priory is part of a chain of psychiatric clinics across Britain, but its London hospital has become famous for treating stars with drug and alcohol problems and depression.