John Magnier loses High Court case over failed Barne Estate purchase
John Magnier claimed he reached an oral agreement to buy the 751-acre Barne Estate in Co Tipperary from owner Richard Thomson-Moore for €15 million on the evening of 22 August 2023, during a kitchen-table meeting at Coolmore House. The estate had been put up for sale in July 2023, and New York-based millionaire Maurice Regan had offered €22.5 million. After a 19-day trial at the Commercial Court that concluded in early August 2025, High Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett delivered his judgment on 15 September 2025, finding that neither a land-sale agreement nor an option agreement had been concluded and that there was no breach of the exclusivity agreement, and refused all reliefs sought by Magnier.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court15 Sep
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- John Magnier claimed he reached an oral agreement to buy the 751-acre Barne Estate from Richard Thomson-Moore for €15 million on the evening of 22 August 2023.
- Where
- The alleged oral agreement was reached during a kitchen-table meeting at Coolmore House, and the estate is in Co Tipperary.
- When
- The estate was put up for sale in July 2023, and an exclusivity agreement was in place from 30 August to 30 September 2023.
- Other details
- New York-based millionaire Maurice Regan offered €22.5 million for the estate.
- The Thomson-Moores wished to move to Australia with their severely disabled son.
- Magnier was represented by Arthur Cox and Thomson-Moore by Creed McStay LLP.
- Legal costs are likely to run into millions of euro.
- In court
- The case was heard over 19 days at the Commercial Court and concluded in early August 2025.
- On 15 September 2025, High Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett found that neither a land-sale agreement nor an option agreement had been concluded and that there was no breach of the exclusivity agreement, and refused all reliefs sought by Magnier.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJohn Magnier lost his case to buy the Barne Estate in Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe 751-acre estate was put up for sale in July 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn exclusivity agreement was in place from 30 August to 30 September 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNew York-based millionaire Maurice Regan offered €22.5 million for the estate. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe Thomson-Moores wished to move to Australia with their severely disabled son. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe alleged oral agreement was reached during a kitchen-table meeting at Coolmore House. (irishtimes.com)
- whenMagnier claimed a sale for €15 million was concluded on the evening of 22 August 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHigh Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett concluded a sale had not taken place. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case lasted 19 days at the Commercial Court and concluded in early August. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMagnier was represented by Arthur Cox and Thomson-Moore by Creed McStay LLP. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLegal costs are likely to run into millions of euro. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Sep2025John Magnier loses high-profile court case over failed Barne Estate purchase
Reports the High Court judgment delivered on 15 September 2025 in which Judge Max Barrett refused all reliefs sought by Magnier, finding no binding sale or option agreement existed and no breach of the exclusivity agreement.
accused, John Magnier, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Magniervictim, Richard Thomson-Moore, male, irish (judged from name)Richard Thomson-Mooresuspect, Maurice Regan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Maurice Regan