A man who was in a 14-year relationship with an international showjumper denies he lacked authority to take six horses from an equestrian centre in Co Wexford owned by her, the High Court was told.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Rafael Sanctuary provided undertakings as part of terms agreed between the sides to facilitate progression of legal proceedings initiated against him by Michelle Kenny. Both sides will also engage in mediation, Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy heard.<\/p>\n
The terms, outlined by barrister Keith Farry, for Ms Kenny, include agreed arrangements for the collection and inspection of five horses, to be held in independent care pending the outcome of the dispute.<\/p>\n
A sixth horse, Mika, will be taken into Ms Kenny\u2019s exclusive care and she will facilitate inspection of him in an independent yard. <\/p>\n
Other terms include agreement by Mr Sanctuary concerning access by Ms Kenny to her company\u2019s financial accounts, email account and social media accounts.<\/p>\n
Both Ms Kenny and Mr Sanctuary have undertaken \u201cnot to mutually disparage each other\u201d, Mr Farry said. His client welcomed that Mr Sanctuary has engaged counsel and, while she is \u201cstill deeply upset and annoyed\u201d, she is eager to resolve matters as soon as possible, he said.<\/p>\n
Senior counsel Aillil O\u2019Reilly, for Mr Sanctuary, said his client denies the allegations against him, especially that he lacked authority to take the bloodstock from the centre. <\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Reilly said he is also instructed by Sam Stathis, a US-based entrepreneur, who intends to take proceedings against Ms Kenny to recover possession of Mika.<\/p>\n
Adjourning Ms Kenny\u2019s case, Mr Justice Mulcahy noted both sides are reserving their positions.<\/p>\n
Ms Kenny and Mr Sanctuary were in court when the terms were outlined on Wednesday. She is an international eventing and showjumping rider and sole shareholder of River Lodge Eventing Limited. Mr Sanctuary is a director and former secretary of the company. <\/p>\n
Ms Kenny, of River Lodge Equestrian Centre, Harpoonstown, Co Wexford, had on Monday secured a temporary injunction, on an ex parte basis, preventing Mr Sanctuary transporting or selling six horses.<\/p>\n
The horses, with a combined value of about \u20ac400,000, are Sligo Balou Lady, Mustang, RLE Seychelles Candy Girl, Naspahir, Pablo Quintero and Mika, the most valuable. <\/p>\n
In her affidavit seeking the interim orders, Ms Kenny said she is a highly recognised and prized show jumper and competitor who represented Ireland in international competitions. Her company has produced horses for the Young Horses world championships and sold horses to some high-profile international riders.<\/p>\n
Mr Sanctuary, with whom she was in a romantic relationship from 2009 to 2023, was appointed one of three directors of her company in June 2017. Ms Kenny and her father, John Kenny, are the other two directors.<\/p>\n
Mr Sanctuary was an employee of the company but is currently suspended with full pay, she said. <\/p>\n
She believed the six horses are in Fairtown, Cavan and was concerned there was \u201ca serious and material\u201d risk they will be taken out of the jurisdiction. <\/p>\n