Company behind Nuremore Hotel which was linked to ‘golden visa’ scheme is wound up

Nuremore Hotel in Monaghan is one of several Irish-registered firms linked to Chinese businessman Kai Dai

Tim Healy

The High Court has made orders winding up a company involved in the running of the Nuremore Hotel in Co Monaghan which owes Revenue over €680,000 in unpaid taxes.

Mr Justice Conor Dignam appointed experienced insolvency practitioner Declan de Lacy as liquidator of Nuremore Hotel Management Ltd, a firm involved in the management and operation of the Carrickmacross hotel and country club.

The hotel is one of several Irish-registered firms linked to Chinese businessman Kai Dai, who is a director of the company, the court heard.

Arthur Cunningham, representing Revenue, said his client was seeking winding up orders after the company failed to satisfy its demand to pay PAYE, PRSI and wage subsidy payments of just over €680,000.

Counsel said 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.

Counsel said his client had taken over the petition, after Ms Kondrate had been paid her debt in full.

Counsel said his client had serious concerns about the company and the hotel.

The hotel had ceased operations late last year, and its electricity and gas supply had been cut off, counsel said.

There were also concerns about insurance, counsel added.

As well as this company, it had already successfully had Mr de Lacy appointed as liquidator to another firm related to the hotel, Huawen Foundation Ltd, which the court heard is listed as being a consultancy and advisory company for those wishing to participate in the Irish State's immigrant investor programme.

Since his appointment to Huawen, Mr de Lacy had taken steps to secure the hotel property and had the locks on the facility changed, counsel added.

Counsel said 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 was no opposition to Revenue's application to have the company wound up.

The judge accepted the company is insolvent and unable to pay its debt to revenue.

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.