Firm’s accounts ‘incomplete’

A COMPANY behind the giant Liffey Valley shopping centre at Quarryvale in west Dublin was in danger of being struck off the register for failing to file audited accounts, the Mahon Tribunal heard yesterday.

Called in to examine the affairs of Barkhill Ltd — a company linked to Cork-based property developer Owen O’Callaghan — auditors found the accounts to be “incomplete and piecemeal”. Among the queries were three payments made to an entity known as Shefran Ltd. This company was operated by lobbyist Frank Dunlop to bill Mr O’Callaghan in connection with Quarryvale.

No invoices were located relating to the purpose behind the IR£80,000 — made up of IR£25,000, £40,000 and £15,000 — that was paid to Shefran in 1991. Also, no VAT had been charged, the tribunal heard. The auditors discovered the company had no physical location in Ireland and such records as existed were in three or four locations.