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.

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy granted Mr Whelan and Ms Boyle an interim injunction against Jim and Colm Banks Trading as Jim Banks & Sons Ltd, Strand Road, Portmarnock, and their agents.

The order prevents the defendants from watching and besetting, harassing and intimidating the plaintiffs or attending at their restaurant on Parliament Street between yesterday and Wednesday.

The judge granted the order on an ex-parte (one side only) basis. The matter was made returnable to later this week.

In an affidavit Mr Whelan said Jim Banks had supplied his businesses with dairy and dry products since the mid-90s. He said in June 2009 Mr Banks said that he was owed €45,000 by him for a period over 14 years.

Mr Whelan said while he accepted some money was owed, it was nowhere near the amount claimed.

Last December €70,000 was demanded by Debt 1 Recovery.