Judgment of €4.5m granted over breaches of lease agreements

A company whose profits are distributed to charities here and abroad has been granted summary judgment for €4.5m against two other companies over alleged persistent breaches of lease agreements for aircraft, including helicopters involved in search and rescue operations.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly granted summary judgment yesterday for €4.5m and also ruled, if that sum is not paid to lawyers for the plaintiff by 3pm next Wednesday, the plaintiff is entitled to a further judgment of some €8m, plus delivery up to it of three helicopters and equipment including medical kits.

Rental payments must also continue to be paid as provided for under the leases, he directed.