Judge comes to rescue for couple’s wedding

The wedding plans of a bride and groom due to exchange vows today have been saved by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice Michael White was assured by barrister Bernard Dunleavy that plans were being put in place to ensure the couple’s reception in the award-winning Ballykisteen Hotel at Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary, goes ahead as planned.

Following an application by Ulster Bank, the judge appointed Jim Hamilton of BDO as provisional liquidator to the hotel, where the unidentified couple’s reception is due to take place this afternoon.

The court heard the hotel had not renewed its drinks license and had been operating without one, which put a question mark over the alcoholic content of drinks to toast the happy couple.

Mr Dunleavy, for the bank, said the South Tipperary hotel, which employs 80 people, has bookings for 75 wedding receptions in the coming weeks. A provisional liquidator was urgently needed to save the hotel’s reputation and ensure events could proceed.

He told Judge White the bank had petitioned the court to wind up the company after it had failed to meet a demand to clear an overdraft of €290,000. It was Mr Hamilton’s intention to “hit the ground running”, and keep the venue open for business.

Mr Dunleavy said the hotel had been operating without a seven-day publican’s licence or a dance licence. The provisional liquidator would take immediate steps to ensure those licences were renewed.

The judge said he was satisfied to appoint Mr Hamilton, a chartered accountant, after being informed that the Ballykisteen Hotel Ltd was insolvent and unable to meet its debts.

The court heard the company got into difficulties due to significant unpaid tax debts, internal partnership matters, and issues with trade creditors. The appointment of a provisional liquidator had the consent of the hotel company.

Mr Dunleavy said the appointment was in the best interests of all parties, including the hotel’s employees, creditors, and customers. The provisional liquidator, who ultimately will sell the business, was further needed to secure the company’s assets, which included food and drink at the hotel.

Counsel said weddings in particular were an essential part of the hotel’s business, and the provisional liquidator’s appointment would ensure this part of the undertaking could be preserved.

Mr Dunleavy said the bank provided the company with an overdraft facility of €200,000. As of May 16, the account was overdrawn by €290,000 and cheques were being bounced and direct debits and standing orders not met.

A demand for immediate repayment of the €290,000 had been made by the bank and the company had been unable to meet it. Accounts revealed liabilities exceeded assets by €2.7m and that it was clearly insolvent.