One of the country’s best known housebuilders, Gannon Homes, has claimed that the new Central Bank rules on mortgage lending have been the main factor behind the firm sustaining a 50% drop in house sales this year.

The change of use of the former Marymount Hospice building at St Patrick’s Hospital on Cork’s northside, to a third-level college, is not exempt from planning requirements, An Bord Pleanála has decided.

One of the country’s best-known developers, Gerry Gannon, has made a successful return to the house building business.

Losses at the main construction firm controlled by one of the country’s best-known developers, Gerry Gannon widened last year to €143m.

AN order winding up Pierse Contracting and Pierse Building Services with the loss of 109 jobs was made at the High Court yesterday after the heavily insolvent companies withdrew their petition for examinership.