Arrest Warrant Issued For Ex-Showjumper Who Refused To Leave Equestrian Once Owned By Criminal John Gilligan

A bench warrant has already been issued for the arrest and committal to Mountjoy Prison of Mr Buckley

An ex-showjumper, his wife and a woman who claims to be their tenant are facing jail for refusing to leave an equestrian centre once owned by convicted drug trafficker John Gilligan.

According to the Irish Independent, The High Court has ruled that James Buckley, his wife Paula, and hair salon operator Hazel Kiely have no legal right to remain at the property, formerly known as Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, and are trespassing.

A bench warrant has already been issued for the arrest and committal to Mountjoy Prison of Mr Buckley, who told the court he is “out of the country”.

Ms Buckley and Ms Kiely have been ordered to appear before the High Court next Thursday, when the property’s owner, Caroline Teltsch, will seek orders committing them to prison for contempt of court.

The Buckleys, who live in a house adjoining the equestrian centre, now named Emerald Equestrian, have refused to leave despite a series of court orders requiring them to vacate.

Giving evidence to the High Court by video link last week, Ms Buckley described the house as her “family home”.

Ms Teltsch, who owns a London-based PR and events company and is an eventing enthusiast, bought Jessbrook Equestrian Centre from the Criminal Assets Bureau for €446,212 after it had been confiscated from Gilligan following his conviction for drug trafficking.

She told the court that Mr Buckley persuaded her to buy the property, but advised her to keep her name off the title deeds because of Gilligan’s criminal notoriety.

Although she paid the purchase price, the property was registered in Mr Buckley’s name.

Ms Teltsch said that over the following years Mr Buckley repeatedly asked her for money to fund both his personal lifestyle and business, including to pay tax bills, legal fees and money he borrowed off a “loan shark”.  

She also loaned him money for a Jaguar sports car, dental bills and flights to New York.

E-scooter crackdown: As senior ministers meet to discuss a plan of action – is an outright ban a real possibility?

She alleged that the Buckleys cultivated her friendship and exploited her financially while she was grieving the death of her father, recovering from illness and in a vulnerable state.

When she later asked Mr Buckley to transfer the equestrian centre into her name, she said he refused, claiming it was too dangerous because Gilligan had allegedly placed a contract on his life and his associates had broken into the yard.

Ms Teltsch eventually sued after she was told the Revenue Commissioners were threatening to seize the property over Mr Buckley’s unpaid tax liabilities.

The Buckleys did not attend the hearing.  Ms Teltsch won her case and obtained orders requiring the Buckleys to vacate the property.

However, they have remained in occupation, leading to the present contempt proceedings. The Buckleys have denied Ms Teltsch’s allegations.
In a separate set of proceedings initiated by Mr Buckley last month, he claimed Ms Teltsch had loaned him the money to purchase Jessbrook and denied repeatedly asking her for financial assistance.

He has also made a number counter allegations against Ms Teltsch.