McCann, a successful bar manager, was offered a lease by DD Breweries Tavern but lacked the financial resources. Thorington proposed forming a company with a 50/50 ownership to facilitate this. Thorington could not actively participate in running the business due to legal restrictions related to his position on the licensing board. This left McCann to manage the business operations, leading to tensions as Thorington was perceived as benefiting without contributing. Feeling burdened by Thorington's lack of involvement, McCann established a rival company. When the lease was up for renewal, he transferred it to his new company, Irish Hospitality, effectively excluding Thorington from the business. Thorington, feeling wronged by McCann's actions, sought to sue in the name of their original company, Irish Optimism Ltd. He claimed that McCann had harmed the company by diverting the business opportunity to his new venture. shorten what this is