Restaurateurs ‘threatened’ by debt collectors, court hears

TWO Dublin city restaurateurs have been intimidated, harassed and threatened by employees of a debt recovery agency over a disputed debt of some €70,000, the High Court heard yesterday.

Patrick Whelan, who is the owner and majority shareholder of city centre restaurants — Mexico to Rome, Temple Bar, and Da Pino restaurant, Parliament Street — and shareholder Caroline Boyle have been “shaken to the core” and had “fears for his family and employees” after being threatened and intimidated by individuals calling themselves Debt 1 Recovery. Mr Whelan denies the alleged debt. They also fear the opening of a new restaurant at Parliament Street today will be disrupted.

The court heard that since December, debt collectors had entered the restaurants, started shouting that they are owed money, intimidated staff and sent threatening messages. Acid was poured over Mr Whelan’s Aston Martin car and his daughter’s car.