Ivor Fitzpatrick Multi-millionaire solicitor with a client list of Ireland’s wealthiest and most powerful men
Ivor Fitzpatrick, who died at his home, Castle Howard, at the age of 68 last Sunday, was an influential solicitor, property developer and businessman, with interests from Dublin to Vietnam.
He also had the distinction of putting together the syndicate of wealthy Celtic Tiger figures who bought the famous Onassis yacht, Christina O, and leased it for cruises and lavish events — such as the 2004 wedding of high-flying couple Sean Dunne and Gayle Killilea.
Despite these multi-million deals and flamboyant friends, Fitzpatrick kept well out of the limelight, concentrating on his legal and business interests. He eschewed the celebrity scene and, when not working, enjoyed walking his dogs, shooting and other country pursuits at his estate near Avoca, Co Wicklow.
He is survived by his wife Susan, a partner in the firm which became probably the best-known legal practice in the country. His wealth from various activities was estimated at between €50m-€100m.
Ivor Fitzpatrick was born in modest circumstances on Dublin’s northside in August 1955, but the family moved across the Liffey and he was educated at Terenure College and Trinity College. He did not have a legal background and after an apprenticeship qualified as a solicitor and established Ivor Fitzpatrick & Co in 1981 on Mount Street.
In time he moved to trophy ivyclad offices on the corner of St Stephen’s Green and Hume Street, bought the imposing Castle Howard overlooking the Meeting of the Waters at Avoca and divided his time between there and a townhouse in Dublin city.
According to contemporaries, two things stood out about young Ivor: constant cigarette smoke and an around-the-clock availability to his clients — a list which included Johnny Ronan, Dermot Desmond, Paddy McKillen Snr and the late trucking multi-millionaire Pino Harris.
Another client was late taoiseach Charles J Haughey, who appointed him to a prestigious position as a director of Aer Lingus, where his father once worked, and was a valued perk for high-flying businessmen.
Fitzpatrick’s low profile and avoidance of any public spotlight was a reassurance to many clients who also valued their own privacy. In time he also became a business partner of some of them, notably McKillen and also Donegal-born property developer Pat Doherty.
He was a noted dog-lover, who once hosted a lavish funeral for one of his pets, and his “loyal canine companion Coco Bean” got honourable mention in his death notice.
Despite his wealth and client list, not everything ran smoothly — particularly in the field of property development.
He had an acrimonious split with long-time partner Paddy McKillen Snr. The two had property interests in Dublin and a quarrying business in Vietnam. After some of their Irish employees were arrested in Vietnam and Fitzpatrick refused to follow McKillen’s advice to dispose of the Dublin properties as the banking crash loomed, they fell out.
“The nature of the allegations and the tone of the letter” sent by Fitzpatrick to McKillen, “were such as to make it impossible for them to continue with an ongoing commercial relationship” McKillen’s lawyers maintained.
An attempt by businessman Pascal Taggart and Dermot Gleeson SC to settle their differences failed, but eventually a settlement was agreed to avoid a public trial.
Fitzpatrick also had legal difficulties with his partners in a development in Jersey, who included Pat Doherty, the property developer painted by Lucian Freud, and his fellow director in Harcourt Developments Andrew Parker Bowles, first husband of Queen Camilla. These were settled after long negotiations.
He was also the subject of media speculation after the tax-efficient purchase of the Christina O yacht in 2000 by a syndicate of mostly Irish businessmen. Fitzpatrick put the deal together with a €2m loan from Michael Fingleton’s Irish Nationwide Building Society at the height of the Celtic Tiger era
The syndicate wrote off over €25m in losses for the boat’s refurbishment. The Revenue Commissioners challenged — and lost — a write-off of over €9m by one syndicate member. The yacht has since been chartered for luxury cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Friends remembered Ivor Fitzpatrick and his wife Susan as generous hosts. Condolence messages recalled a “love of fun and a little devilment” and friends said that he was great company with an exuberant streak.
Ivor Fitzpatrick died at his home in Wicklow after a long illness. His life was celebrated at a Requiem Service on Thursday at the Church of St Mary and Patrick, Avoca, Co Wicklow.