Van Morrison’s wife in new legal dispute while relationship with solicitor breaks down

The wife of singer Van Morrison is embroiled in a new legal dispute with her neighbours.

The case was briefly mentioned in the High Court yesterday when Michelle Morrison’s solicitor asked to come off record and the court was told that the relationship between Ms Morrison and her solicitor had irrevocably broken down.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan urged both Ms Morrison and her solicitor to take a step back and attempt to resolve the matter as he said Michelle Morrison faced a High Court action without representation as the case is due to kick off at the end of this month.

Michelle Morrison, of Kilcross House, Sorrento Rd, Dalkey, Dublin, has brought a case against her neighbours, Desmond and Mary Kavanagh of nearby Mount Alverno. It is understood the proceedings relate to an alleged agreement in relation to a view.

Last year a legal action over alleged interference with privacy at her Dublin home as a result of works at the neighbours’ house was settled.

In that action Ms Morrison sought orders overturning the council’s decision to accept redevelopment work at the Kavanaghs’ Mount Alverno home complied with planning permission.

The council and the Kavanaghs, who were notice parties, both disputed her claims.

Ms Morrison claimed that unless there was proper landscaping and, in particular, the replacement of trees, then her home’s rear garden was overlooked by the Kavanagh property.

Without the replacement of a number of trees, a “gangway” style balcony in the Kavanaghs’ home seriously overlooked the Morrison’s rear garden while a large number of first-floor windows in Mount Alverno also intruded on her family’s privacy, it was claimed.

The court heard that the Kavanaghs had proposed providing replacement screening between the properties using shrubs such as bay laurel, holly, and cherry laurel.

Ms Morrison’s experts argued that semi-mature canopy trees were required to match those which were removed.

In the High Court yesterday, an application was made on behalf of Ms Morrison’s solicitor to come off record in the latest case.

Counsel Gemma Carroll said the relationship between Ms Morrison and her solicitor had irrevocably broken down and that Ms Morrison had made certain allegations in an affidavit which are completely refuted.

Mark Sanfey, who was representing Ms Morrison for the application before the court, said the main case was set down for hearing by the court for 10 days starting on June 30.

He said Ms Morrison was not prepared for it as “all eggs had been put in the settlement basket”.

Ms Morrison, he said, is totally unprepared for the case and a witness on her side will be unavailable at that time.

Mr Justice Gilligan said it appeared certain differences had arisen between Ms Morrison and her solicitor and an allegation has been raised in relation to professional fees. The judge said if the solicitor is released from the case, Ms Morrison could face a ten-day hearing without representation which would be an unfortunate situation.

He advised Ms Morrison and the solicitor to step back and see if any progress could be made on the matter.

The case will come before the court again on Thurs-day.