Examinership confirmed for top Mayo hotel

AN examiner has been confirmed for a south Mayo hotel which has a staff of 122.

Ms. Justice Marie Baker said, for reasons including the number of persons employed by the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, and its role in the local economy of a west of Ireland town, she would confirm examinership.

The hotel has confirmed bookings for 29 weddings in 2016 and a further 10 so far in 2017, she noted.

Claremorris Tourism Ltd and MOPB Developments, owner and operator of the hotel, had petitioned the High Court judge to confirm the appointment of Kieran Wallace of KPMG as examiner.

CTL and MOPB, led by local accountant Damian Prendergast, built the hotel in 2006 with funds from Ulster Bank and the aid of a tax-relief investment scheme backed by developers including Seamus Ross of Menolly Homes, Garret Kelleher of Shelbourne Developments, and David Andrews and Michael Tunney of Lioncourt Capital.

The Irish Times reported today that in her reserved judgment, Ms. Justice Baker rejected arguments against examinership advanced by Coney Investments Designated Activity Company (a fund that acquired the company’s loans from Ulster Bank); the Revenue, which is owed €735,000, and John Killeen, a shareholder and former director of MOPB, who is suing it for €974,775.