Simply Red stars settle row over hunting rights

Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall and saxophone player Chris De Margary have reached a settlement with a neighbour over hunting rights in Co Donegal.

The musicians were not present at Letterkenny Circuit Civil Court for the case but were made aware of the agreement.

The case, continuing for five years, came before Judge John O’Hagan yesterday. As the case opened, the judge pleaded with both sides to talk. The parties discussed the matter for three hours before coming to a confidential agreement.

Mr Hucknall and Mr De Margary claimed their neighbour, John Wilde, interfered with their rights and those of their guests on the Glenmore Estate at Welchtown, Ballybofey.

Mr Wilde retains links to a neighbouring estate across the river Finn at Cloghan Lodge where he still lives, although he sold it some years ago.

Mr Hucknall and Mr De Margary, who are keen anglers, claimed that since they bought the fishing, shooting, and “hereditaments” rights for €1.3m at Glenmore on August 5, 2005, Mr Wilde had interfered with their “quiet enjoyment” of those rights. They said Mr Wilde had also laid claim to the ownership of the rights on Glenmore.

Mr Wilde, however, claimed that the previous owner of Glenmore, John Mackie, transferred the fishing and shooting rights to his father. The musicians were refused an injunction preventing alleged continued encroachment at the same court four years ago.

Judge John O’Hagan said he believed both parties would receive luck by reaching a deal. “I believe this is a sensible thing. Life is about making things work,” said the judge.

“I think what you have done here is a tremendous achievement. There has to be a lot of give and take. I always believe there is luck in a settlement — you have made my task very easy.”

He earlier pleaded with both parties to talk to each other in a bid to avoid a legal case. “I will say this — there is nothing wrong with talking,” he said. “It is time to put this case to bed. Please put your heads together and sort something out that works for both of you.”

He also said he hoped to visit the estate. “One day I might appear and take a shot at something or throw a line in the river,” he said.