Developer loses court bid over Priory Hall

PROPERTY developer Larry O’Mahony, who was adjudicated bankrupt in Britain earlier this year with debts of £197 million (€226m) mostly owed to Irish Nationwide Building Society, has lost a bid to be taken out of court proceedings concerning the Priory Hall apartment complex.

While refusing to discharge Mr O’Mahony, the President of the High Court indicated essential responsibility for carrying out works to address serious fire safety concerns at the complex rests with developer Tom McFeely and Coalport Building Company Ltd, which built the complex in 2006 and whose directors are Mr McFeely and his brother Noel.

Dublin City Council this month secured orders from Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns against Mr O’Mahony; Mr McFeely and Coalport requiring evacuation of the complex and remedial works to be completed by the end of November.