Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall and his bandmate Chris Demargary have reached a settlement with a neighbour over hunting rights on a Co Donegal estate.
The popstars were not present at Letterkenny Circuit Civil Court for the case but were made aware of the agreement as it was reached.
The case, which has been ongoing for five years, came before Judge John O’Hagan.
As the case opened, Judge O’Hagan pleaded with both sides to go away and talk about reaching an agree.
The two sides discussed the matter for three hours before coming to a confidential agreement.
Singer Hucknall and sax player De Margary were due to appear in the dispute with their neighbour John Wilde.
They claimed he has interfered with their rights and those of their guests on the Glenmore Estate at Welchtown, Ballybofey.
Mr Wilde retains links to a neighbouring estate across the river Finn at Cloghan Lodge, where he still lives, although he sold it some years ago.
Hucknall and De Margary, who are keen anglers, claimed that since they purchased the fishing, shooting and “hereditaments” rights for €1.3 million at Glenmore on August 5th, 2005, Mr Wilde had interfered with their “quiet enjoyment” of those rights.
They said Mr Wilde had also laid claim to the ownership of the rights on Glenmore.
Mr Wilde however claimed the previous owner of Glenmore, John Mackie, transferred the fishing and shooting rights to his father.
The musicians were refused an injunction preventing alleged continued encroachment at the same court four years ago.
Judge John O’Hagan said he believed both parties would receive luck by reaching an agreement.
“I believe this is a sensible thing. Life is about making things work. I think what you have done here is a tremendous achievement. There has to be a lot of give and take.
“I always believe there is luck in a settlement – you have my task very easy,” he said.
He earlier pleaded with both parties to talk to eachother in a bid to avoid a legal case.
“I will say this – there is nothing wrong with talking. It is time to put this case to bed, please put your heads together and sort something out that works for both of you,” he said.
He also said he hoped to one day visit the estate.
“I hope the birds are safe and al the various other livestock. One day I might appear and take a shot at something or throw a line in the river,” he said.