Goodbye Smurfits

April 18 2004 12:11 AM

MICHAEL Smurfit evidently enjoys the S&M lifestyle. Should the good doctor's lawyers be reading this, that's Spain & Monaco and - heaven forfend - nothing remotely kinky. The billionaire owner of the K Club has homes in Spain and Monaco, where he lives happily as a tax exile.

Like father, like son, appears to be the order of the day as Michael's (and Norma's) son Tony is moving abroad for five years. Tony and his wife, former model and actress Sharon Devlin, are currently holidaying in Mauritius with their two children. On their return, the couple head for America.

With the windfall from the sale of his shares in the Smurfit company last year, it is not inconceivable that Tony would be moving to America for tax-friendly reasons as well as running business for his father.

It goes without saying that Ireland won't be the same without Tony and Sharon. Even if only for five years. BE