Matt the Threshers, of Birdhill, Co Limerick, was one of the beneficiaries of the Credit Review Office’s judgments allowing the pub to expand into Dublin.

SMALL businesses have hit back at the Credit Review Office (CRO) which claims that AIB and Bank of Ireland will fail to meet their €6 billion credit commitments due to a lack of demand for loans.

A state body set up to support small businesses refused loans has no powers to force banks to overturn decisions, it was disclosed today.