Court rules on will challenge

A MOTHER left china, delph and cutlery in her will to her three daughters – and a €3.8million jackpot to her three sons.

The bizarre division of the riches was challenged in the High Court, which found she failed “in her moral duty” to provide for her eldest son.

It paled in comparison, however, with the paltry parting gifts she left her girls following her death in 2013.

As well as the contents of her china and delph cabinets, they received just €5,000 each.

Mr Justice Denis Mcdonald said she “does not appear to have considered she should make any significant provision” for them – but they did not challenge the will.

FRACTION

The three sons shared her €3.8million estate – but the eldest, who had fallen out with his mother, claimed he received a tiny fraction.

The 53-year-old married father of two successfully challenged the will in the High Court.

Justice Mcdonald has now directed he should receive around 90 acres of lands to the value of around €1.27million.

These were promised by the mother to him in 1997 before their falling out and prior to her revoking her original will.

The judge said it was notable none of the daughters has made a claim under Section 117 of the Succession Act. He added: “Furthermore, neither of the daughters who gave evidence before me suggested they were living in straitened circumstances.”