Developer who owes €100m hopes to get back into construction

A Limerick developer who the High Court heard has liabilities of more than €100m hopes to get back into the construction business again.

Businessman and yachtsman Gerard O’Rourke, aged 50, who set up the Chieftain group of construction companies was before the Commercial Court for cross examination in relation to his assets by Nama.

The hearing before Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan arose out of a judgment obtained against the businessman for €21m in favour of AIB for unpaid loans. AIB advanced the loans to Mr O’Rourke for development purposes.