O'Donnell v Michael Ryan & Ors (Unapproved)

Whelan J.������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������� Neutral Citation Number [2022] IECA 76

This is an appeal from the order of the High Court of 18 December 2019, perfected on 9 March 2020, following delivery of an ex tempore judgment on 18 December 2019 wherein a category of discovery sought by, Saltan Properties Limited (�Saltan�) was refused. Saltan was ordered to make discovery sought by the Respondent as set out in the appendices to the court order, Categories A, B, C, D, E, F and H. � Costs were awarded to the Respondent and same was stayed until the determination of the proceedings.

Saltan was engaged by the first defendant to develop Riverwalk Court Apartments in Ratoath, Co. Meath (�the Development�), which consists of twenty-six apartments. It was constructed using a pre-fabricated external membrane system (�the Elk System�) designed by the fourth defendant and supplied and installed by the third defendant. The first defendant engaged the fifth defendants to supply architectural services and the six and seventh defendants to supply engineering services.

The Development was completed in or around December 2005. Each apartment was sold with the benefit of a defects liability guarantee known as the Premier Guarantee for Ireland (�the Premier Guarantee�).

By Lease dated 14 December 2005, the first defendant and Saltan demised an apartment to the Respondent for a term of 950 years. Subsequently, difficulties including with water ingress were encountered by purchasers including the Respondent.