Chartbusters gets court protection

A JUDGE has granted court protection to Chartbusters entertainment stores as reports indicate it has a reasonable chance of survival if certain conditions are met.

While agreeing in the High Court yesterday to appoint an examiner, Mr Justice Peter Kelly accused the company’s founder, Richard Murphy, of “sharp practice” and “sleveenism” in his treatment of a major creditor who had sought to wind up Chartbusters.

Because of Mr Murphy’s conduct in staving off the winding up petition by Winchurch Investments Ltd through giving a post-dated cheque which was later stopped, Mr Justice Kelly said he was making Mr Murphy personally liable for the legal costs, estimated at €20,000, of that petition.