M.A. & Anor v M.C. & Ors (Approved) [2025] IEHC 618 (14 November 2025)

M.A. & Anor v M.C. & Ors (Approved) [2025] IEHC 618 (14 November 2025)

Plaintiffs failed to establish a fair question to be tried due to lack of medical or scientific evidence linking defendants' use of pesticides and slurry to alleged personal injuries and property damage. The affidavits relied on speculation, conjecture, and unsupported beliefs. The statutory framework authorises defendants' actions, and no challenge was made to its validity. Injunctive relief cannot be granted without sufficient evidence of causal connection or risk.

Citation
[2025] IEHC 618
Parties
Plaintiff: M. A.; Plaintiff: S. M.; Defendant: M. C.; Defendant: M. D.; Defendant: P. M.; Defendant: James Caplis; Defendant: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Judgment Date
14 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Plenary Summons / Interlocutory Application
Outcome
application for interlocutory injunctive relief dismissed
Legal Topics
Interlocutory Injunction, Personal Injury, Use of Pesticides, Statutory Interpretation, Burden of Proof
Environmental Law Tort Law Constitutional Law Interlocutory Injunction Personal Injury Use of Pesticides Statutory Interpretation Burden of Proof

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

M. A.

Plaintiff

S. M.

Plaintiff

M. C.

Defendant

M. D.

Defendant

P. M.

Defendant

James Caplis

Defendant

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Plenary Summons / Interlocutory Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether interlocutory injunctive relief should be granted to restrain defendants from using pesticides and slurry near plaintiffs' property
  2. 2 Whether there is a fair question to be tried regarding alleged personal injuries and property damage caused by defendants' actions
  3. 3 Whether the plaintiffs have established a causal link between defendants' actions and alleged harm

Ratio Decidendi

Plaintiffs failed to establish a fair question to be tried due to lack of medical or scientific evidence linking defendants' use of pesticides and slurry to alleged personal injuries and property damage. The affidavits relied on speculation, conjecture, and unsupported beliefs. The statutory framework authorises defendants' actions, and no challenge was made to its validity. Injunctive relief cannot be granted without sufficient evidence of causal connection or risk.

Court Disposition

application for interlocutory injunctive relief dismissed

Orders

  • Application for interlocutory injunctive relief dismissed.
  • Order for costs in favour of first named defendant against plaintiffs, to be adjudicated in default of agreement.