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New York Post
11 hours ago
- New York Post
Owner of boat where Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died once sued for allegedly biting FDNY firefighter on 20th anniversary of 9/11
The owner of the Montauk-docked boat where designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died was once sued for allegedly biting a retired FDNY firefighter on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at a Manhattan concert. Former smoke-eater Michael Balfe, a Ground Zero first responder, claimed he was attacked by Christopher Durnan, 60, during a show at Webster Hall on Sept. 11, 2021, according to a civil suit he filed the following year. The lawsuit alleges Durnan 'bit and assaulted' Balfe in an unprovoked attack. Balfe 'sustained serious and permanent injuries, suffered, does suffer and will continue to suffer agony to body and mind,' the since-settled suit alleged. 3 Christopher Durnan, 60, the last person to see Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra alive was once sued for biting a 9/11 FDNY first responder in an unprovoked attack at Webster Hall. Obtained by the NY Post Durnan had rejected any wrongdoing, arguing Balfe initiated the fight and that his 'use of force was reasonable under the circumstances' according to court papers. Durnan was criminally charged after the incident with assault with intent to cause physical injury, recklessly cause physical injury, possession of a controlled substance, attempted assault in the third degree, and harassment, according to court records. He ultimately pled guilty to a disorderly conduct charge. The civil suit was settled in December 2023, records show. 3 Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died on Aug. 5 onboard boat The Ripple which is owned by Chris Durnan and docked at the Montauk Yacht Club on Aug. 5. Facebook / Martha Nolan 'Out of respect for the family of the woman who tragically passed away and Mr. Balfe's own family, Michael will not be making a comment on the prior case involving Christoher Durnan,' the former firefighter's lawyer, Darren Moore, told The Post. Moore emphasized that his client didn't pay any party when the lawsuit was settled. Durnan, an insurance mogul with a plush pad in Montauk and another home in Long Beach, owns the boat The Ripple, where Nolan-O'Slatarra was found dead on Aug. 5, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. A lawyer for Nolan-O'Slatarra's family revealed that homicide detectives are 'questioning' individuals in relation to the tragic death of the chic East End entrepreneur. 'They want more details,' Aidala told The Post. 'The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.' 3 Records show Durnan owns both The Ripple and the boat next to it named Hell In A Bucket. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post 'They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening,' Aidala continued. 'Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there. Was anyone else around?' Durnan could not be reached for comment.
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Family of NYC designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra searching for ‘more details' into who she was with night of Montauk death
The family of Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra want to know who crossed paths with the chic designer the night she was found dead on a boat in Montauk as police continue their 'deep dive' investigation into the tragic case, according to their lawyer. Attorney Arthur Aidala pushed back against speculation that Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died of an overdose and told The Post Wednesday that the Irish-born beauty's family 'did not know her to be someone who used drugs.' 'They want more details,' Aidala said. 'The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.' 3 Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club on August 5, according to police. Instagram/@marthanolan 'They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening,' Aidala said. 'Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there. Was anyone else around?' The attorney revealed at a press conference Wednesday that 'people are still being questioned' by homicide detectives on the East End. 'The family has had a sit down with the Suffolk County homicide detectives. They are doing a deep, deep dive, a deep investigation. People are still being questioned,' Aidala told reporters Wednesday. 'Any report about her quote 'death' is just irresponsible,' he added. 3 Attorney for Nolan-O'Slatarra's family has cast doubt on speculation that she died of an overdose and further states that the family feared if she did die of an OD, that she could have been dosed. Steven Hirsch 'If there was any kind of drug and drug use, they want to know. Who's doing the drugs?' The attorney said the family is currently working with law enforcement, and is also working with retired members of law enforcement to ensure the investigation is being handled properly. Nolan-O'Slatarra was found unresponsive on a boat named 'The Ripple' which was docked at the ritzy Montauk Yacht Club, on Aug. 5, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. That boat belonged to Chris Durnan, 60, who is well-known locally and who owns another boat moored at the same dock, the 'Hell In A Bucket.' 3 Nolan-O'Slatarra lived in Manhattan and would summer in the Hamptons organizing pop-up shops for her brand summerwear brand East x East. scalle Durnan owns and operates an insurance company called the Durnan Group located in Rockville Center. Durnan has not responded to The Post's numerous requests for comment.
