Rugby club move to new ground in jeopardy
The Irish Examiner understands that Cork Constitution and O’Callaghan Properties have entered discussions in recent weeks about redeveloping the rugby club’s existing premises in Temple Hill, Ballintemple, into a sports complex. Both Cork Constitution and O’Callaghan Properties said they were not in a position to comment on new discussions.
The move comes after Owen O’Callaghan’s plans to purchase 37 acres of land at Ballyorban in Douglas and move the rugby club there appeared to have fallen through. He had intended to pay Cork Constitution €26 million for the Temple Hill lands and redevelop them. However, O’Callaghan Properties are now involved in a legal row as he attempts to terminate the deal on the Ballyorban land.
The matter came before the High Court yesterday.
Mr O’Callaghan claimed the agreement between his company and Sean and Eileen O’Sullivan of “Glenhouse”, Frankfield, Grange, Douglas, for the €9 million purchase of the 37 acres at Ballyorban was linked to the separate agreement under which the company agreed to buy the Cork Constitution grounds at Temple Hill for €26 million.
In an affidavit, Mr O’Callaghan said the €9 million deal made between the couple and a solicitor acting in trust for the company was subject to the company getting a satisfactory planning permission for a playing facility, including an all-weather pitch and clubhouse.
The affidavit said a conditional permission granted in March last was not satisfactory and, therefore, the €9m deal was at an end. The company was also seeking the return of a €500,000 deposit paid by it under the agreement.
On the application of Paul Sreenan SC, Mr Justice Peter Kelly admitted the proceedings by O’Callaghan Properties to the Commercial Court.
The O’Sullivan’s claim that O’Callaghan properties had wrongfully and unlawfully repudiated the contract between it and them and the company is not entitled to rescind that agreement.
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