Judge Linnane heard that the famous family business could trace its origins back to the 1880s to a circus troupe started by Cork man George Lowe who had toured Ireland with a travelling troupe before emigrating to the United States.

His participation in a number of variety shows there brought him to the attention of William Cody, aka Buffalo Bill, whose troupe he joined, specialising in the fields of magic, juggling and trick-riding horses.

Lowe had returned to Ireland in 1887 and embarked on tours of his home country with his own circus troupe. In 1918, an accomplished horseman Edward Fossett joined Mr Lowe’s circus eventually marrying his daughter, Mona Lowe.

The couple had six children all of whom followed their parents into the business eventually setting up the Edward Fossett and Sons Circus which has been handed down through the family.

The court heard that a family dispute led to High Court proceedings which started in 1992 and did not end until 2008 with a €.5million settlement bill which still hangs over the company.

Bury this lump of crowbait.