Michael Healy-Rae plant hire firm accumulates €345k profits

A plant hire company owned by colourful Kerry politician Michael Healy-Rae reported accumulated profits of over €345,000 last year, according to accounts filed to the Companies Registration Office (CRO).

The Independent TD is listed as a director and 99% shareholder of Roughty Plant Hire Ltd, which filed its financial statements for the year ending April 30, 2014, last week.

The accounts show the company was sitting on a cash pile of €316,363 at the end of that period, while accumulated profits in the firm stood at €345,757. Tangible assets increased in value during the financial year from €65,828 to €67,642, and the firm’s debtors rose from €4,940 to €19,273.

Roughty Plant Hire Ltd is based in Sandymount, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry. It is one of a number of business interests outlined in Mr Healy Rae’s declaration of interests under the Ethics in Public Office Acts. The Kerry South TD lists amongst his occupations postmaster, politician, farmer, as well as owner of a filling station and a shop.

Mr Healy Rae, 48, who succeeded his late father, Jackie as a TD in the 2011 general election, also owns a portfolio of farmland and properties.

Roughty Plant Hire has contracts with Kerry County Council and the HSE for the provision of maintenance work.