Latest news with #Irwin
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
High Court hears from John Magnier's 'right hand man' in multi million Barne Estate row
A senior advisor described as a "right-hand man" to bloodstock billionaire John Magnier, who is involved in a legal battle over the purported multi-million sale of a Tipperary estate that fell through, has told the High Court he was not secretly "kept in the loop" of the tax affairs of the vendors. Financial advisor at world-famous Coolmore Stud, Eddie Irwin also rejected a description of him by counsel for Barne Estate as Mr Magnier's "fixer"and "right hand man". Mr Irwin said Coolmore did not use "catchphrases or fancy titles" but agreed with counsel that he would be called to work on projects if things went "wrong". Mr Irwin, who has 40 years' experience working with Mr Magnier, was called in to aid in securing the Barne Estate deal which the Magniers believed they had shook hands on in August 2023 for €15m. However, the Magnier side were ultimately gazumped in being the preferred buyer by Irish-born, US-based construction magnate Maurice Regan, who offered €22.25m. The case centres on Mr Magnier's claim that Mr Regan engaged in a "full-frontal assault" on Mr Magnier's claimed deal to buy the 751-acre tract and that Barne estate reneged on the deal. Barne Estate has been held for the benefit of Richard Thomson-Moore and others by a Jersey trust. At the High Court on Friday, Mr Irwin said he met with Mr Thomson-Moore in early September 2023 and they contacted tax experts KPMG after the Thomson-Moore family requested tax liability advice. A KPMG tax expert met with the Thomson-Moores later in the month as a "favour" to Coolmore, who were large clients of KPMG. Mr Irwin did not attend that meeting but allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to Mr Magnier telling him "off the record" that the tax expert, who was named in court, allegedly told him that the Thomson-Moores were considering whether to retain KPMG and that the expert had informed the Thomson-Moores of what approach he recommended. Mr Irwin answering Martin Hayden, counsel for Barne Estate, denied he had an "off-the-record" report from the expert that, counsel alleged, would keep him "in the loop" in return for introducing the Thomson-Moores to KPMG. Mr Irwin said the wording of the WhatsApp message was an "aberration" and "unfortunate" and that he meant for Mr Magnier not to share information already known from previous meetings as it was a "private" and not for dissemination. Mr Irwin told Mr Hayden that the named expert was an "innocent, decent, and honourable" man, who was being "defamed" in the court as someone who would keep him "in the loop" on private tax matters. However, Mr Irwin said he did have "grave" concerns at the time that the tax issue raised by the Thomson-Moores was put forward just before the September 29, 2023, end of an exclusivity agreement and may not have been a genuine one. Mr Irwin told Mr Hayden that he was told by Mr Magnier that a week after the alleged handshake deal that his son-in-law, David Wachman, received a call from Mr Regan, who was "angry and abusive" about the purported sale. Mr Regan told Mr Wachman that he would outbid the Magnier side by €5m to prevent the deal going through, claimed Mr Irwin. After the expiration of the exclusivity agreement on September 29, 2023, Mr Irwin contacted Eugene McCague, a former partner at legal heavyweights Arthur Cox, who represent Coolmore in these proceedings, and sought legal advice should the matter be litigated. In early October 2023, with the exclusivity agreement now expired, the local estate agent involved in the sale, John Stokes, told the Magniers that the Barne Estate had been subject to a €20m bid. The Magnier side then upped their bid to €16m with a separate, additional offering of €500,000 to establish a trust for a member of the Thomson-Moore family. Mr Irwin said he was told by the auctioneer that the Thomson-Moore's were happy to accept the Magnier offer but the Barne Estate solicitors never sent the contracts and the deal was never done. The Magnier side has sued the Barne Estate, Mr Thomson-Moore, and three companies of IQEQ (Jersey) Ltd group, seeking to enforce the purported deal, which they say had been "unequivocally" agreed. The Barne defendants say there was never any such agreement, as they needed the consent of trustees to finalise any agreement and subsequently they preferred to sell the estate to Mr Regan. Mr Regan is not a party to the case. The case continues before Mr Justice Max Barrett next month.
Associated Press
13 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Free Estimates, Clear Proposals: West Penn Tree Service Simplifies Tree Work for Homeowners in Irwin and Beyond
West Penn Tree Service, a local tree care company located in Irwin, Pennsylvania, focuses on maintaining honesty and transparency at every step. Their free estimates are a major initiative to keep customers informed about the cost and reduce later disputes. Irwin has trees just about everywhere, like red maples, tulip poplars, elms, and more. They add character to the streets and make homes look great. However, old trees, weak branches, and storm damaged plants become hazardous and risky. Additionally, diseases like root rot, fungal infections, as well as storm damages are frequent problems that need professional care. Pricing often leads to disputes and unpleasant experiences for property owners. Many companies often don't share the total cost, or they may overlook services like cleaning up. West Penn Tree Service has solved this problem with beforehand estimates after a thorough inspection. Their team understands the area's unique climate, terrain, and tree varieties well. As a result, they deliver the right solution for every job for local homes and businesses. 'We believe in giving our customers all the information up front,' said the company owner. 'A clear proposal means you know exactly what's happening on your property and what it will cost.' Visit them at to learn more! Homeowners in and around Irwin trust West Penn because of their strong commitment to service quality. Every client receives a free estimate and a written, detailed proposal that outlines exactly what work will be done. Their experienced tree care professionals perform tree trimming, tree removal, and stump grinding with free quotes for every service. 'Our job may start with tree removal. But it ends when your yard looks better, not worse, than before we arrived,' said one of their lead arborists. Their customers agree to this, too. 'We had a huge limb hanging over our garage, and they came out the same day to take a look,' said one Irwin homeowner. 'The estimate was clear, the price was fair, and the job was done the next morning. They were fast, clean, and professional.' If someone needs aesthetic trimming, urgent removal, or post-storm cleanup, West Penn Tree Service is ready to help. Their estimates are always free, and the proposals are always detailed. It means clients can make informed decisions with no pressure. Connect with West Penn Tree Service at About West Penn Tree Service West Penn Tree Service is a fully insured, full-service tree care company based in Irwin, PA. The company is known for its clear proposals, skilled crew, and no-nonsense pricing. And they also provide top-notch tree care services. Location: Media Contact Company Name: West Penn Tree Service Contact Person: Jake Cardiff Email: Send Email Phone: 724-396-0680 Address:201 Jason Lane City: Irwin State: PA 15642 Country: United States Website: Source: King PR
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Hale Irwin makes putt for birdie in sudden death to win US Open at Medinah
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 18, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1908: Then U.S. Secretary of War William Howard Taft was nominated for president on the first ballot — receiving 702 out of a possible 980 votes — at the Republican convention in Chicago. From Kamala Harris to Lewis Cass: Who Illinois voters have chosen for president since 1824Taft defeated William Jennings Bryan on Nov. 3, 1908, to become president. 1990: Hale Irwin, at 45, became the oldest man to win the U.S. Open when he beat Mike Donald in a 19-hole playoff at Medinah's famed No. 3 championship course. Irwin, who won Opens in 1974 and 1979, and Donald tied with 280 scores after 72 holes. Both pros shot 74s in the 18-hole playoff. Then they went to the No. 1 tee to begin a sudden-death showdown. Irwin birdied the first hole with a 3. Donald parred the hole. 5 things you might not know about Chicago native Ted Kaczynski — the 'Unabomber'1996: 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski — the Chicago-area native who became a mathematics professor then a recluse — was indicted in four attacks, including mail bombs that killed two men. These were the first charges connecting him with the 18-year-long chain of mail bombings that led to three deaths, 23 injuries and a brief shutdown of air traffic and mail service on the West Coast. Kaczynski pleaded guilty in 1998 — almost 20 years after his first pipe bomb exploded — choosing to spend life in prison rather than be portrayed at trial as mentally ill. 2019: The Chicago White Sox announced plans to extend protective netting to the foul poles at Rate Field, the first major league team to do so, after two incidents involving foul balls hitting fans — on May 30 in Houston, and at Rate Field on June 10. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
‘Brilliant role model' and veteran ‘never imagined' being honoured at 106
Norman Irwin, described by his friends as inspirational and a brilliant role model, served in north Africa during the Second World War before going on to make a difference in his home town of Coleraine. He helped to form the Coleraine Winemakers Club, recalling initially using nettles and dandelions, as well as becoming one of the founders of the town's Rotary Club and the Agivey Anglers Association. Mr Irwin is the oldest person to be recognised in this year's Kings Birthday Honours, and is just one of three recipients over the last 10 years aged 106, as well as being Northern Ireland's oldest man. He said he was very proud to be recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM), adding it had come as a big surprise, joking he was 'getting on a bit'. Born just a few days after the end of the First World War in 1918, Mr Irwin went on to serve in the Second World War, volunteering in April 1939 to join the Coleraine Battery of the Royal Artillery as a gunner. He described the battlefield in north Africa as stretching thousands of miles and getting chased across the desert by German troops in tanks. The sand presented a major challenge, he described, in terms of logistics, and he even engineered his own guns when they lost the tools to maintain them. 'We lost the tools for them in the sand, so we made our own – you learned to adapt to it very very quickly, you just had to get on with it,' he said. 'You do what you have to do in times of need. 'We were all volunteers here (in Northern Ireland), we weren't conscripted, so we all just went off en masse as our own decision. We never imagined what it was going to be like. 'People talk about the desert rats, but it didn't really get the same coverage as France. 'The First World War took a lot, and the Second World War took even more, terrible times.' Mr Irwin said the sheer distances involved in the conflict in north Africa is often what surprises people the most. 'People just didn't understand the distances when they talk about the Germans when they chased us back across north Africa, it was about 1,500 miles,' he said. 'They all think it's a small localised battle, but it wasn't, it was over a 1,500- 2,000-mile stretch. 'When they chased us back across the desert, they had tanks and we didn't have any, we couldn't cope with those, couldn't fight them, the only thing to do was to leave. 'Then we got reorganised and prepared, and we chased them back across again. The armoured divisions arrived once they realised what we were up against.' He went on to become one of the founding members of the new Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in October 1942 and he was soon promoted to sergeant. 'I was demobbed at the end of the war and came back home to Northern Ireland, and got a job as an engineer in a local factory and it all went from there,' he said. 'Everything that we did in the forces had an application in industry.' Back home, Mr Irwin helped form the Coleraine Winemakers club in the early 1960s. 'It was beer and wine, home hobbies at the time were quite the thing, and of course people would say to others, 'what do you think of my wine', so we formed a wine club had competitions for people who made wine out of nettles and dandelions, and all sorts of things we could find in the fields,' he said. 'It was quite potent. 'It moved on from that to a higher level, using grapes.' Asked about the held esteem he is held in, Mr Irwin responded: 'People say these things, I wouldn't put myself in that category. 'I enjoyed all those things as well, of course.'
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Northern Ireland's oldest man (106) receives honour from King Charles and shares secret to long life
70 people from the north of Ireland have been recognised, including community champions and those involved in sport, arts, health, economy and policing. They join names such as David Beckham and The Who singer Roger Daltrey, who are knighted, and Strictly Come Dancing stars Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who are made MBEs. One of the most notable local recipients is Coleraine pensioner Norman Irwin, who at 106 is Northern Ireland's oldest man. The Derry man has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community in his local town. Mr Irwin, who was born in 1918 and has lived in Coleraine all his life apart from six-and-a-half years during the Second World War, said he was honoured by the gong. He added that it had come as a big surprise, joking he was 'getting on a bit'. Born a few days after the end of the First World War, Mr Irwin joined the Coleraine Battery of the Royal Artillery in 1939 and served in North Africa before becoming one of the founding members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in 1942, rising to the rank of sergeant. He became known for his initiative in the field — when tools were unavailable he made his own and 'got on with the job without fuss'. After the war he helped found several community organisations including the Coleraine Winemakers Club and the Coleraine Probus Club, a cross-community group for retirees. He also helped start the Agivey Anglers Association. Asked for his secret to a long life, the great-grandfather of four replied: 'A glass of Bushmills every day'. His family explained that he found out about the award via a letter from the Cabinet Office. They described him as a 'brilliant role model' with 'a quick wit and great sense of humour'. The honour also marks a special connection, as King Charles is the fifth monarch in Mr Irwin's lifetime. Road racing legend Michael Dunlop is also to receive an honour in the form of an MBE. Part of the famous Dunlop motorcycling dynasty, Michael has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the sport. With a record-breaking 33 victories at the Isle of Man TT, he is the most successful rider in the event's history. Since beginning his professional career in 2006 he has consistently pushed the boundaries of speed and endurance, famously becoming the first to lap the TT's Mountain Course in under 17 minutes. With over 120 national road race wins, he was named Motorcycle News Rider of the Year in 2023 and crowned King of the Roads at the 2024 Irish Motorbike Awards. Astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell (81) from Lurgan, Co Armagh, who as a doctoral student discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967, is to be made a Companion of Honour. Other local names on the list include Elizabeth Norah McGrath (61) from Co Down, who will receive a BEM for services to suicide prevention. Described as a 'professional and committed healthcare worker', Ms McGrath has long held a passion for improving mental health services. She spearheaded the launch of the Suicide Prevention Care Pathway to quickly respond to patients at risk, co-produced with service users and volunteers with lived experience. Also honoured is Christine Smith KC from Co Down, chairwoman of the Urology Services Inquiry, who is being made a CBE. Ms Smith said she was 'deeply honoured'. 'I feel privileged to be the recipient as the first woman to chair a public inquiry in Northern Ireland. 'I see it as a recognition of the incredible mentors and champions I have had throughout my career, and I am most grateful for their support. 'I also see it as a reflection of the collective effort of my team on the Urology Services Inquiry and those I have been lucky to work with on previous inquiries, including the Independent Neurology Inquiry, the Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry, and in particular the inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse.' Singer and choir leader Maria Stephenson Lacey (68) from Belfast will be awarded an MBE for her services to the arts. The founder of the multicultural Belfast Community Gospel Choir in 2009, she has grown the group into a 100-strong ensemble that performs here and internationally, sharing a message of joy and inclusion. Meanwhile, Richard Taylor, governor of Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women's Prison, is being made an OBE for public service. Mr Taylor credited the whole team of staff for being part of a 10-year process of turning the south Belfast facility around, following a critical inspection report in 2013, to being described as a 'model of excellence'. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared his congratulations with everyone on the list. In a statement he said: 'This year's Birthday Honours List is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and service that exists in every corner of our country.
