remium

From the clubs to the courts: colourful tycoon who left €23m in his will

Philip Smyth led a life of high drama and got mired in a 30-year feud and vicious allegations

Sachs Hotel in Dublin  

February 14 2021 02:30 AM

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The publicity-shy nightclub/hotel owner and gym pioneer Philip Smyth, who died in 2019, has left more than €23m in his will. Smyth, born in Longford, ran the Blinkers/Club 92 disco at Leopardstown Racecourse, Sachs Hotel – now rebranded the Hampton in Donnybrook, and the West Wood gyms.

He also engaged in a 30-year bitter feud with the late meat baron Hugh Tunney, his landlord at Sachs Hotel, which spilled over into accusations of drug dealing, money laundering for the IRA, clandestine meetings with the criminal known as The General and irregularities in the meat business.

Among those caught in the crossfire of untrue accusations levelled against Smyth were Brenda Flood, his personal assistant, and his brother Paul Smyth, a garda chief superintendent.