A County Carlow husband and wife have been instructed by the High Court to refund more than €800,000 in damages to a British businesswoman, following allegations of unjust enrichment from loans granted by her. The judgement delivered on Thursday by Mr Justice Liam Kennedy stipulated multiple directives to be executed in favour of Caroline Teltsch, directed towards James Buckley and his wife Paula.
Mr Justice Kennedy remarked that the situation was an unfortunate ordeal for Ms. Teltsch, who owns the Emerald Equestrian Centre, formerly known as Jessbrook and previously managed by organised crime figure John Gilligan’s family. Teltsch alleged that she had provided considerable financial loans to her former business collaborator, Mr Buckley and his spouse.
These funds were said to be deployed for a multitude of purposes, including the renovation and operation of the equestrian centre from 2010 until 2018. It was noted, however, that the couple haven’t reciprocated any of the loaned funds to the complainant.
During the period from 2015 to 2018, Ms. Teltsch, who resides in London, experienced severe health issues. She argued that the defendants, Mr Buckley in particular, committed acts of deception, fraud, and misrepresentation against her to enrich themselves unjustly.
Furthermore, Ms. Teltsch contended that the defendants subjected her to emotional manipulation, financial exploitation and deceitful tactics. Mr. Buckley allegedly persuaded her to lend him money to handle tax bills, alongside a payment to the Revenue who were supposedly on the verge of confiscating the equestrian centre.
Additional loans, she insisted, were offered to cover expenditures including sports cars – a Jaguar XKR car and a Mitsubishi Evo, previously utilised for rally racing by Mr Buckley; medical bills; electricity bills; legal proceeding costs; a house downpayment, and airfare to New York for their nuptials.
In the court’s findings, it was declared that specific land parcels situated close to the hub in Co Kildare are under the trusteeship of Mr Buckley for the claimant. In addition, it was decided that she has the right to be identified as a co-owner of Louis, a stallion. Both she and Mr Buckley share the ownership of the horse equally.
The judge discerned he had enough evidence to pass judgement against the couple, in the claimant’s favour, for a total exceeding €800,000. Taking note that the accusations were unopposed by the defendants, residing at Hillview Stables, Ballymoon, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, Mr Justice Kennedy stated their defences were dismissed by Ms Teltsch’s legal team due to them failing to adhere to a court order, which mandated disclosure of given materials and documents.
Buckleys were absent from the court during the proceedings and they presented no defence. Ms Teltsch, who had legal representation from Anthony McBride SC, Francis McGagh BL and solicitor Donnacha Anhold, purports that her dealings with the defendants began in 2010 during a horse sale.
Ms Teltsch alleged they earned her trust, persuaded her to invest in a wider spectrum of endeavours rather than she had planned, before taking advantage of her passion for horse breeding and training. Initially, she supported the defendants with loans, which were aimed at refurbishing their stables in Co Carlow and acquiring shares in horses.
Throughout the year, she recalls Mr Buckley repeatedly requested funds, which she insists he understood were loans and not gratuitous contributions. The court was made aware that between 2015 and 2018, Ms Teltsch was unwell and sought medical attention.
She further claimed that in 2013, under the influence of Mr Buckley, she purchased Jessbrook, valued at just under €450,000, from the Criminal Assets Bureau. The facility which is now under her registered name, previously underwent an extended legal dispute involving the Bureau and John Gilligan’s family, required a comprehensive overhaul.
Despite being managed by Mr Buckley at one point, the facility was intended to be autonomous.
She alleged that she provided Mr Buckley with funds he requested, following his assertion that officials from the Revenue were due at the Emerald centre to confiscate equipment. Additionally, Mr Buckley convinced her that it would not be in her best interest to register the centre under her name, due to its previous ownership. Consequently, the property was registered under a trust.
She further alleges Mr Buckley warned her against registering herself as the owner, referring to it as “dangerous” given the centre’s previous association with Mr Gilligan. It’s recorded that in 2017, she transferred funds to Mrs Buckley, a teacher.
However, her business dealings with Mr Buckley collapsed in 2018. She became suspicious after realising the money she had lent to Mr Buckley, under the guise of assisting his brother, was never received by the brother in question.
She admitted to forming an agreement with Mr Buckley in 2018 that led to her regaining the centre in part settlement of the total alleged debt of €1 million he owed her. In explaining her reasons for making this agreement, she stated that she wanted to recover what she believed was her property, as well as salvage something from the funds she had invested into the centre.