Australian MP sues ex-husband over Irish estate

Seán McCárthaigh

The High Court in Dublin is due to hear an action taken by Australian Liberal MP, Andrea Coote against her former husband, the internationally renowned interior designer, John Coote later this month.

Ms Coote, the deputy leader of the opposition in the state council of Victoria, is claiming a half share in the Bellamont Forest estate in Cootehill, Co Cavan, by taking a civil action against her former husband’s company, Thameside Holding.

The 270-year-old estate, which is the ancestral home of the Earls of Bellamont, was bought in 1988 by Mr Coote for just E750,000. The mansion was built by his ancestor, Thomas Coote, the former Lord Justice of the King’s Bench in Ireland in 1730.

Although the couple began a major restoration programme on the stately home, their marriage broke down in 1991.

The 90-acre estate, which has been valued at almost 11m, is being held in trust for the couple’s son, Angus, who is based in Britain.

However, Ms Coote maintains she is not taking the court proceedings for a share of the estate but for her two daughters as well as her son.

During an acrimonious break-up of their marriage, Ms Coote claimed her former husband had left her with “a suitcase, a necklace and three children.”

Mr Coote, who is based in Melbourne, claims he was virtually penniless at the time the couple split almost 14 years ago.

The celebrated interior designer has suggested his ex-wife, who is now married to a wealthy Melbourne stockbroker, Alan Naylor, does not need the money. He also maintains that Ms Coote agreed a divorce settlement of around E150,000 in the early 1990s.

Bellamont Forest, which includes five lakes and extensive hunting and fishing rights, has been described as one of the most perfect examples of a Palladian villa in western Europe.

Mr Coote was strongly criticised by residents of Cootehill in 2001 after he blocked public access to a popular forest walk on the estate in a row over insurance liability.

The case, which is due to begin in the High Court on February 22, is expected to last at least four weeks.