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 alleged 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,” according to the since-settled suit.
Durnan had denied 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.
Durnan could not be reached for comment.
“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.
Nolan-O’Slatarra was found dead on the boat as it was docked at the swanky Montauk Yacht Club 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.”
“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?”
Suffolk County police have not filed charges or identified any suspects in Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death.
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