Building firm denies finance woe after layoffs

THE boss of one of Munster’s biggest house-building companies yesterday rejected rumours his company was in financial trouble.

John Barry, managing director of Mallow-based Castlelands Construction — which is behind the bid for Douglas Golf Club lands — confirmed last week’s layoff of 50 employees, most of whom had been recently recruited. But, he said, the firm still employs more than 350 people, most of whom are sub-contractors.

He stressed the company was continuing to build the houses it has sold on its sites and said it was preparing new sites to open for further schemes in the coming weeks and months.