The High Court has ordered the winding up of the company involved in the running of the Nuremore Hotel in Carrickmacross which owes Revenue over €680,000 in unpaid taxes. At the High Court on Monday, Mr Justice Conor Dignam appointed experienced insolvency practitioner Mr Declan de Lacy as liquidator of Nuremore Hotel Management Ltd, a firm involved in the management and operation of the locally-based hotel and country club.
The court heard the hotel is one of several Irish-registered firms linked to Chinese businessman Kai Dai, who is a director of the company. Seeking the winding up order, Arthur Cunningham BL for Revenue, said it was seeking the orders after the company failed to satisfy its demand to pay PAYE, PRSI and wage subsidy payments of just over €680,000.
Counsel said that the petition to wind up this company had originally been brought by Liga Kondrate, who had been employed as a 'chef de partie' at the hotel. He said his client had taken over the petition, after Ms Kondrate had been paid her debt in full.
Counsel said Revenue had serious concerns about the company, and the hotel - which ceased operations late last year, and had its electricity and gas supply cut off. The court was told there were also concerns about insurance.
As well as this company, the High Court had already successfully had Mr de Lacy appointed as liquidator to another firm related to the hotel, Huawen Foundation Ltd, which is listed as a consultancy and advisory company for those wishing to participate in the Irish State's immigrant investor programme.
Counsel told the court that since his appointment to Huawen, Mr de Lacy had taken steps to secure the hotel property and had the locks on the facility changed. He also pointed out that petitions have also been brought against two other companies linked to the hotel, which are listed for hearing before the court later this month.
Counsel said that while the petition to wind up Nuremore Hotel Management Ltd had been advertised, there were no opposition to Revenue's application to have the company wound up. Meanwhile, the Judge accepted that the company is insolvent and unable to pay its debt to Revenue.
Therefore, as well as appointing Mr de Lacy as liquidator, the Judge also directed Mr Kai Dai to file statements of affairs in respect of the company and awarded Ms Kondrate and Revenue the costs of bringing their winding up petitions.
