Dublin couple settle action over former home and business

A retired grocer and his wife have settled a High Court action against their former solicitor for alleged negligence over advice when they agreed to sell their shop and home to a developer.

Thomas and Marie Murray sold their shop and over-shop home at Drogheda St, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, to SuperValu supermarket operator Luke Moriarty’s company, Moriarty Spicers.

They agreedto hand over vacant possession of both properties by 2005. In return, they would receive €678,000 and get two apartments in the development along with one of the new retail units.

However, the Murrays say they were unable to rent the retail unit for years because of the alleged negligence of their then solicitor, Maurice Leahy, of Leahy Wade and Co, Swords, Co Dublin.

The defendant denied the claims.

Yesterday, counsel for the couple told Mr Justice Max Barrett the case had been settled after talks and could be struck out with a costs’ order in favour of his clients.