The wealth report puts the Stripe founders John and Patrick Collison as the Republic's wealthiest people, with an estimated fortune of €8.7 billionThe Republic’s 11 billionaires are collectively wealthier than 3.46 million people in the State, according to Oxfam Ireland. Billionaires are 4,000 times more likely to hold political office than ordinary people, it added. Billionaires own the media, dominate digital spaces and buy influence,” said Oxfam Ireland chief executive Jim Clarken. The WEF says a record 400 political leaders, including 64 heads of state and government, will attend this year’s gathering. The Forbes list of Irish billionaires has Indian-born engineering tycoon Shapoor Mistry, who controls construction conglomerate Shapoorji Pallonji Group, in fourth position, with wealth of $7.1 billion.

Source: The Irish Times January 19, 2026 15:35 UTC