Legal row over sale of Bellamy’s pub before court

A legal row that has "sterlised" the planned €1.35 million sale of Bellamy's pub in Ballsbridge, Dublin, has come before the Commercial Court.

The action has been brought by Billnat (Ireland) Ltd and Celdon Ltd, respectively with registered offices at Kells, Co Meath, and Ranelagh, Dublin, trading as the Willowfield Group, after it was deemed among 15 unsuccessful bidders.

The case is against auctioneering firm Daniel Morrissey & Sons Ltd, trading as Morrisey's, with registered offices on Clare Street, Dublin, and Touchstone Taverns Ltd, with registered offices in Terenure, Dublin.

'Wholly unsuportable'

Rossa Fanning, for the defendants, told Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday his side considered the claims against them “wholly unsupportable on a legal basis” and

wanted the case fast-tracked in the Commercial Court.

The judge, noting the case has “effectively sterilised” the sale, agreed to fast-track it and directed a statement of claim be delivered this week.

Among the claims being made by the plaintiffs is they should have been seen as the preferred bidder.