Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0509Breach of contract · Co. Wicklow · 3 Jul 2026

Powerscourt Hotel sued for cancelling Peter Thiel group conference over protest threats

Stonebrick LLC, trading as Dialog, is suing the operators of Powerscourt Hotel in the Commercial Court for breach of contract after the hotel's general manager cancelled a private conference over threats of protests. The event, organised by the Dialog group cofounded by US tech billionaire Peter Thiel, was due to take place at Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, between August 12 and 17, 2026, and was to be attended by 200 senior figures from politics, technology and defence. The hotel GM informed Stonebrick of the threats on June 16 and cancelled the event on July 3. The case was first reported in court on July 27, and Judge Eileen Roberts scheduled it for a court vacation sitting on September 2, 2026, pending an affidavit detailing the alleged loss.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Stonebrick LLC, trading as Dialog, is suing Sugarloaf Ventures (trading as Powerscourt Hotel), Powerscourt Estates Ltd and Scalaheen Ltd for breach of contract in the Commercial Court.
  • The private conference was organised by the Dialog group, cofounded by US tech billionaire Peter Thiel, and was due to be attended by 200 senior figures from politics, technology and defence.
  • The hotel general manager informed Stonebrick on June 16 of abusive phone calls, emails and threats of organised protests and blockades.
  • 15 protesters with placards and chanting slogans gathered in the hotel lobby for about 30 minutes.
  • Stonebrick claims it was the victim of a cyberattack in June in which information about the event was leaked to the media.
  • Stonebrick expects to face a refund liability of approximately $2.2 million (€1.9 million), and 33 attendees had already cancelled.
Where
The conference was due to take place at Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
When
The event was due to take place between August 12 and 17, 2026, and the hotel general manager cancelled it on July 3, 2026.
Other details
A local Garda inspector stated the event could be held safely but would require a substantial policing and security response.
In court
Judge Eileen Roberts scheduled the case for a court vacation sitting on September 2, 2026, pending an affidavit detailing the alleged loss.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe event was organised by the Dialog group, cofounded by US tech billionaire Peter Thiel. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe event was due to be attended by 200 senior figures from politics, technology and defence. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatStonebrick expects to face a refund liability of some $2.2 million (€1.9 million). (irishtimes.com)
  • what15 protesters with placards and chanting slogans gathered in the hotel lobby for about 30 minutes. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA local Garda inspector stated the event could be held safely but would require a substantial policing and security response. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatStonebrick says it was the victim of a cyberattack in June in which information about the event was leaked to the media. (irishtimes.com)
  • what33 attendees had already cancelled. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatStonebrick is suing Sugarloaf Ventures, trading as the Powerscourt Hotel, and the companies that own the 1,000-acre estate, Powerscourt Estates Ltd and Scalaheen Ltd. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe conference was due to take place at Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe event was due to take place between August 12th and 17th. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe hotel general manager cancelled the event on July 3rd. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenOn June 16th, the hotel general manager informed Stonebrick of the calls, emails and threats of protests. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Eileen Roberts said she would put the case into a court vacation sitting on September 2nd. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Peter Thiel group conference cancelled by Powerscourt Hotel after threats of protests, court told

    First report of the Commercial Court proceedings. Judge Eileen Roberts scheduled the case for a court vacation sitting on 2 September 2026, pending an affidavit detailing the alleged loss.