Millionaire businessman Dr Michael Smurfit will have to attend the High Court to give evidence in the case of a former K Club manager who has sued alleging he was threatened at Punchestown Races.

A former K Club manager has claimed before the High Court court the man who allegedly threatened him at Punchestown Races was "the messenger of Dr Michael Smurfit."

Irish paper and packaging giant Smurfit Kappa has rejected a raised takeover offer from US rival International Paper, but a sharp 3.4% fall in Smurfit shares may well signal the hostile suitor is so far winning the €8.9bn bidding war.

Thanks to its attention to detail, the K Club is a five-star hotel like no other, says Marie Toft.

CRH yesterday faced one of the largest shareholder revolts over executive pay in Irish corporate history, with more than 40% of its shareholders — representing a combined €8.5bn of its €21.4bn market value — opposing a hike in bonuses at its AGM.

Shares in Irish-founded packaging company, Powerflute jumped by nearly 2% at one point yesterday following an indicative takeover approach from US private equity house, Madison Dearborn Partners.

Dublin start-up Moocall is exploring the export potential of an innovative new calving alert device which can let a farmer know by text message when a cow is about to give birth.

The spoiler-free guide to the things appearing on your television box tonight.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian’s idea of fun is mixing with other celebrities, eating very little at the finest restaurants, and shopping, shopping, shopping. Surprise, surprise! So why did she and her husband, rapper Kanye West, choose Ireland for their honeymoon?

The Irish economy has taken a massive hammering over the past few years, but it will make a strong recovery, said Michael Smurfit.

The Irish exchange is back in the big time, with the US also booming again, writes Kyran Fitzgerald.

The extent to which Michael “Fingers” Fingleton claimed expenses from his former employer to fund a lavish outlay on designer goods, exclusive hotels, and extravagant entertainment of developers was laid bare in court yesterday.

Charity organisers tell Sharon Ní Conchúir about running events in the recession

The failure by the K Club to write down the value of its assets has resulted in its auditors issuing an adverse opinion on the company’s latest accounts.

Its fortunes may have waned in recent years but it’s still a case of who you know if you want to get into the K Club.

Necks stretched and muffled whispers filled courtroom number one as a smartly dressed ex-banker was brought up from a holding cell.

The “Maple 10” were the most talked about secret club in Ireland.

Despite almost four years of recession, Ireland’s richest are getting even richer.

Smurfit Kappa this week announced a big jump in its pre-tax profits.

British property investment firm Development Securities has formally announced its intention to acquire assets from Nama believed to be developer Gerry Gannon’s property portfolio in Britain.

I WOULD hate to be stuck with people my own age the whole time.

THE Irish Franchise Awards attracted a larger than usual entry this year across its five main categories.

HAS Ivan Yates completely lost the run of himself or is he now slanting his columnist’s pen towards Fianna Fáil and this shambles of a Government (‘Let’s get rid of all those freebies and put a ceiling on child benefit’, October 14).

A FEW years ago at a meeting with a senior banker in relation to financing an acquisition I raised the question of their fees. The head honcho replied “I love to talk dirty…”

DENIS LYNCH, Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey were yesterday named by Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine to be part of his squad for the Alltech World Equestrian Games, which begin next month.

THE bright orange of the Netherlands shone in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show yesterday, but a superb comeback by the Irish, featuring clear rounds from Cian O’Connor and a pain-wracked Denis Lynch gave the crowd plenty to cheer about.

SHOW jumper Cian O’Connor is not short of confidence, but he is sure it is well placed in expecting a good outcome for Ireland in today’s nations cup at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

POLITICAL contacts can be bought very cheaply in this country. Always has been the case and always will be, it seems, no matter what happens at tribunals and the like in exposing the carry-on between politicians and wealthy business people.

LIKE a bride on the eve of her nuptials, Adare Manor was last night eager with anticipation, bursting to lay bare her best assets, and arranging and re-arranging her finery for a glorious unveiling today.

Smurfit Kappa are to end their backing of the Champion Hurdle which they have sponsored since 1991.

GANNON Homes, the property development firm owned by K Club co-owner Gerry Gannon recorded losses of €13.6 million in 2007.

A PRINCE is expected to visit a Cork school next year which his mother, the late Princess Grace of Monaco, helped nearly 50 years ago.

HE may have failed to win a seat in the local elections but a Corkman has pulled off a major diplomatic coup that could have huge spin-offs for Irish tourism.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese is donating a number of ball gowns to a charity auction. This alerted me to the prospect of life after her presidency when it ends in 2011.

FIVE jet pilots used smoke plumes to script “Welcome to the 37th Ryder Cup” in the sky — officially re-igniting America and Europe’s intense biannual golfing rivalry.

THE mention of tax havens conjures up pictures of mixing with royalty in Monaco, living under blue skies on creamy beaches in the Caribbean or interminable ski holidays on the romantic slopes of Switzerland.

MULTIMILLIONAIRE paper tycoon Dermot Smurfit is threatening to leave Britain if its government presses ahead with its plans to levy non-domiciled residents £30,000 (€40,000).