The Supreme Court has refused Michael and Brigid Quinn leave to appeal a Court of Appeal decision in a property dispute with Allied Irish Banks plc. The determination was delivered on 4 November 2015.
The Quinns, who represented themselves, wanted to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling of 21 May 2015. That court had dismissed their appeal against a High Court decision in the bank's favour.
AIB had claimed an equitable mortgage, meaning a charge over land created by agreement, over the missing plots. In the alternative, it claimed the land was held for the bank under a constructive trust. The High Court found for AIB on both counts.
The couple argued that the findings ignored the legal separation between a company and its directors. They also said the constructive trust gave the bank ownership of land that was meant only as security for loans to their company.
The Court of Appeal said it was sympathetic to the Quinns but found no error in the trial judge's judgment.
The Supreme Court said it also sympathised with the couple. It said it does not find facts or correct errors, and saw no error of law. It was not satisfied that the case raised a matter of general public importance or that an appeal was necessary in the interests of justice.