A former artist's model who helped build a business with the art student she fell in love with almost 20 years ago has been awarded a half-share in their home in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and a holiday home in Co Donegal.
Ms Imelda O'Donnell, of Appian Way, Donnybrook, Dublin, and Mr Frank McQuade, of Tivoli Terrace, Dun Laoghaire, had asked Dublin Circuit Civil Court to determine their financial interest in the homes they shared until their break-up three years ago.
Judge Yvonne Murphy had heard how Mr McQuade, as an art student, had run an army surplus stall in a building at Fownes Street, which became part of the Temple Bar area of Dublin.
When he and Ms O'Donnell started their relationship in 1983, she had helped out at the stall. The stall grew into a specialist second-hand clothing company with shops in Dublin, Drogheda and Derry. Eventually they became joint owners of the two properties.
Judge Murphy said Mr McQuade had failed to convince the court he had put substantially more money into the properties.