Hopes of saving 110 Kinsale jobs

The jobs of 110 employees of the Kinsale-based Blue Haven Collection are expected to be secured this week when negotiations with the Revenue Commissioners are concluded.

The Revenue Commissioners petitioned the courts for winding-up orders against three companies within the Blue Haven Collection, following the discovery of an outstanding tax issue.

However, Kinsale’s largest employer in the hospitality sector said that they expect a satisfactory conclusion in the next few days.

A spokesperson for the group said that the issues raised by the Revenue commissioners will soon be resolved.

“We are currently in negotiations with Revenue and hope to reach a successful conclusion in the coming days.

“One of the issues has arisen due to an issue in 2010 on the specific treatment of a tax issue by the company. We are currently working with Revenue to bring this to a successful conclusion for both parties in the coming days,” said the spokesperson.

Court proceedings are scheduled for Mar 26, but with an agreement expected in the next few days, the proceedings are unlikely to go ahead.

The business was developed by brothers Cormac and Ciaran Fitzgerald, who bought the Blue Haven Hotel in 2004.

Blue Haven has a number of businesses in Kinsale, ranging from restaurants and bars to a luxury car hire service.

The companies in the group include Hamlets cafe bar, Old Bank Town House, Blue Haven Food, Studio Blue Nightclub, the Blue Haven Cookery School, and Munster Bentley Hire.

“The Company hopes to resolve this issue swiftly, and looks forward to a busy tourism season ahead,” the spokesperson said.