Mosney asylum seekers’ centre makes €1m profit

THE Mosney holiday village in Co Meath, which now acts as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers, made a profit of €1 million in 2005.

Accounts filed at the Companies Registration Office show the company increased its turnover from €8.4m to €8.78m.

But pre-tax profits fell €4,000 to €1.028m. The 2004 profit figure was boosted by the gain on the sale of some property. At operating level, profits were ahead by nearly €250,000 as the increased turnover offset higher costs.

Mosney’s owner Phelim McCloskey said the centre could not provide permanent accommodation for 800 guests and had undergone some refurbishment in the past year to improve conditions for those staying there.

He added: “We now employ a total of 83 full-time staff in our accommodation, catering, cleaning, maintenance, security and administration departments. This level of full-time employment is of great benefit to the local community.”

Mr McCloskey and his wife Elizabeth were paid a dividend of nearly €64,000 out of the profits.

The couple were paid 466,028 in fees and remuneration for the year, up from €386,754 in 2004.

At the end of 2006 the company had assets of nearly €7m including retained profits of €4.8m.

The former Butlins has been closed to the public since 2000.