Michael Flatley in further High Court dispute with former solicitor following Cork mansion case

Michael Flatley, the renowned "Lord of the Dance" star, is involved in a new legal dispute with his former solicitor, Maxwell Mooney, over €200,000 lodged in the High Court. This sum is part of a larger €1.4 million held by the court following a resolution of a disputed costs bill linked to Flatley’s Cork mansion, Castlehyde. Mooney claims entitlement to the €200,000, alleging that Flatley attempted to improperly claim the funds. The dispute adds to ongoing legal tensions between the two parties, including a separate case where Flatley seeks access to files held by Mooney’s firm related to the Castlehyde proceedings. The broader legal conflict stems from fees and costs associated with lengthy court battles over Flatley’s Castlehyde estate in Fermoy, Co Cork. The €1.4 million sum covers legal and receivers’ costs, as well as contested penalty interest, which was ultimately reduced from €308,000 to €108,000. Mooney, who represented Flatley’s Blackbird Film Productions Ltd until April, has expressed doubts about Flatley’s willingness or ability to pay outstanding legal fees. In court affidavits, Mooney detailed financial hardship caused by non-payment and claimed Flatley owes fees for three years of legal work. At a recent High Court hearing, Judge Mark Sanfey granted permission for Mooney to apply for the €200,000 to be paid to him, noting frustration over the protracted nature of the litigation. The judge ruled that the application was neither frivolous nor vexatious and approved the release of the remaining funds to other parties, excluding the disputed amount. The initial legal dispute involved a loan to Blackbird Film Productions, guaranteed by Flatley’s Castlehyde mansion, with Novellus alleging default on repayments. The case has seen receivers appointed over the property amid ongoing repayment disagreements. This latest development highlights the complex and drawn-out legal battles surrounding Flatley’s business and personal affairs, underscoring challenges in resolving financial disputes tied to high-profile assets and legal representation.