Businesses picket hotel in row over €3.2m bill

BUSINESSES yesterday picketed a Wexford hotel protesting over the €3.2 million they say they are owed by the owners since work was completed more than two years ago.

The 60 subcontractors and suppliers were involved in the redevelopment of Whites Hotel in Wexford for the owners, Balmaford — a company run by three men.

“The debt has been outstanding since the hotel was complete and open for business in August 2006,” said a spokeswoman for the protesters.

“This is despite the main contractor, Cleary and Doyle, having secured a High Court judgment for payment of the debt by Balmaford in July this year.”

Barry English, managing director of Winthrop, one of the subcontractors owed substantial fees, said the ruling demonstrated there was no question but that the money was owed.

“Non-payment of a construction bill, and particularly one of this size, is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

“The developers and operators of Whites Hotel have behaved reprehensibly in their approach to developing the hotel.”

In response, a statement on behalf of Whites Hotel, claimed that payment was the responsibility of the main contractor.

The statement added: “There is no court order in existence against Whites of Wexford in favour of Cleary & Doyle.”

However, pressed on the matter, a spokesperson for Whites of Wexford acknowledged that there were proceedings in train against Balmaford.

A public meeting of the businesses owed money is scheduled for next week in Wexford.

The group said they will continue a “concerted and prolonged” campaign until they are reimbursed the money owed.

Meanwhile in Kerry, the creditors of the Watermarque Hotel in Caherciveen are continuing to picket the premises.

The hotel has been in receivership for several months and is now on the market for €6m.

The contractors owed money believe that, as the bank is owed €9m, they will get nothing of their €750,000 debt.