Neighbour to get half of 76-acre farm

Half of a 76 acre farm owned by a bachelor who died intestate in 2009 must go to a neighbour who worked at substantial underpayment for the deceased for 38 years, the High Court ruled.

Gerard Finnegan, aged 57, is also entitled to half the value of the stock and machinery of the late James Gartland, 79, who owned the dairy and dry stock breeding farm at Broomfield, Castleblaney, Co Monaghan, Mr Justice Michael White said.

The other half goes to Mr Gartland’s surviving relatives, who include his brother Eugene and sisters, Margaret, Rosie, Bridget, and Kathleen.