50 staff lose jobs as popular Limerick hotel closes

Up to 50 workers are to lose their jobs with the closure of Patrick Punch’s hotel in Limerick.

Some workers have been left with up to €5,000 in owed money.

Staff at the 72-bedroom hotel were called to a meeting on Monday and told that due to tough trading conditions, the hotel was being placed in liquidation.

Notices advised customers that business was closed until further notice.

While the 300 or so members of the gym are set to lose out, management sources at the hotel said they would try to accommodate those with wedding bookings.

One worker left owed €2,000 said they are all in shock.

The worker said: “All of us feel we have been taken advantage of. We all worked for two to three weeks with no money at all to keep the place open, to keep the show on the road.

“Everyone is saddened by the fact it closed.

“But we are annoyed. I am up to my eyes in debt, because I have been waiting to be paid. There are lots of staff with young families. One couple went home in tears because neither has work now.”

Management at the hotel told staff they need to make contact with the liquidator once that person is appointed to try and recover wages owed.

Thirty years ago, Patrick Punch’s was regarded as Limerick’s smartest place among well-paid, white- collar workers.

It was a noted gathering place after meetings at the nearby Greenpark racecourse, since closed.

It had been part of the Dunne Hotel Group which was placed in examinership in 2008.

Up to early 2011 it was run by Price Waterhouse Coopers on behalf of Bank of Scotland.

A decision was taken to close down the property in 2011 but a deal saved the hotel.