Sibling row flares over helicopter site

A BITTER planning row between one of the country’s top developers and his brother has flared up again over helicopter activity on his estate.

Michael O’Flynn, managing director of O’Flynn Construction — which is building Ireland’s tallest building, the Elysian in Cork — has lodged a planning application with Cork County Council for a landing pad on a site close to his huge home in Kilcrea, Ovens, on the western outskirts of the city.

Mr O’Flynn, who does charity work for Crumlin Children’s Hospital and who has extensive business interests in Britain and Europe, travels regularly to and from his home by private chopper.

He has ferried up to eight people in the twin-engined aircraft to horse races and to watch Cork’s hurling team.

The chopper lands on a site about 40 metres from his home. The site has a grass-covered wire mesh over a concrete base.

The council’s planning enforcement section launched an investigation last year into the use of the pad following complaints from Mr O’Flynn’s brother Laurence, who lives on the edge of the estate.

Laurence and his wife Eileen are embroiled in legal action against Michael O’Flynn and his wife Joan over whether landscaping works on their mansion were carried out in accordance with planning permission.

The council directed last April that all landings cease, but the activity has continued.

Mr O’Flynn referred the matter to An Bórd Pleanála last June seeking direction on whether the use of land for the landing and take off of a helicopter “is or is not development, or is or is not exempted development”.

A ruling was deferred from December to yesterday, but the board confirmed last night that a decision is not expected until early February.

In the meantime, Michael O’Flynn lodged a planning application with the council on Tuesday seeking permission for a 49sq m concrete paved area for use as a helicopter landing area for his business activities and in association with the operation of Rockfield Farm, Kilcrea, Ovens.

Mr O’Flynn declined to comment on the plans yesterday.

The county council is also investigating alleged unauthorised helicopter landing activity close to the family home of another wealthy businessman in Blarney.