Irish High Court adjourns Michael Flatley case following wife's death

The President of the High Court in Dublin, Mr Justice David Barniville, extended his sympathy to Michael Flatley and agreed to adjourn his court case for two weeks, the Irish Examiner reported. Mr Justice Barniville was scheduled to receive an update on Friday regarding a dispute between Mr Flatley and his former solicitor, Maxwell Mooney. Mr Flatley's current solicitor, Barry Creed, requested the adjournment due to the death of Mr Flatley's wife, Niamh O'Brien, and her funeral taking place this weekend. [1]

The Irish Times and the Irish Independent both reported that Mr Flatley expressed gratitude to the public and the residents of Fermoy, County Cork, for their sympathy and support. The Irish Times reported that the funeral mass for Ms O'Brien will take place on Saturday at the Church of St Thérèse in Mount Merrion, Dublin. Mr Flatley posted on social media that the flag at his Castlehyde estate in Fermoy was flying at half mast in her memory. [2][3]

The underlying High Court case involves Mr Flatley seeking to compel his former solicitor to turn over legal files related to proceedings concerning his Castlehyde mansion in Fermoy, County Cork, according to the Irish Examiner. Mr Flatley acquired Castlehyde House along the River Blackwater in 1999, the Irish Times reported. [1][2]

The High Court of Ireland is a court that deals at first instance with serious civil and criminal cases and holds powers of judicial review over government acts. Mr Flatley is an Irish-American dancer and choreographer who created and starred in major stage productions including Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Ms O'Brien was a former lead performer in Lord of the Dance who was married to Mr Flatley for 20 years before her death at age 52. [8][9][10][11][12]

According to the Irish Examiner, the High Court proceedings are scheduled to return before the court at the end of October. [1]