Paris Bakery in Dublin wound up by High Court

The High Court has wound up Paris Bakery, the well known Dublin city centre bakery and restaurant which was occupied by some of its workers for almost three weeks over unpaid wages.

Mr Justice Brian Cregan appointed Carl Dillon, of Moore Stephens Nathans, official liquidator to Paris Bakery and Pastry Ltd. The company had operated in Moore Street until its closure last May.

The Revenue Commissioners petitioned the court to wind up the company after it failed to satisfy a demand for €117,000 in unpaid taxes, including VAT, PRSI and PAYE.

The Revenue served a demand on the company last April. While more than €52,000 was paid, the remainder was not and the company was clearly insolvent and unable to pay its debts, Dermot Cahill BL, for Revenue, said.

The court heard about 25 of the company’s employees, most of whom are foreign nationals, are owed some €158,000 in unpaid wages.  Several of the workers were in court. They were involved in a 20 day long sit in after the business ceased trading.

As result of the winding-up, the workers will be able to avail of the Insolvency Payments Scheme, which provides funds to workers on insolvency of their employer, as well as any money that may be awarded by the Labour Relations Commission.

Speaking on their behalf, Grainne O’Toole of the Migrants Rights Centre said they supported the application to have the company wound up.

The court also ordered the company's two directors — Yannick Forel, Swiftbrook Glen, Ballyjamesduff Road, Virginia, Co Cavan and Ruth Savill of Springfield House, Kilbride, Co Wicklow — to file statements of affairs within 21 days.

Ms Savill told the court she had resigned both as company secretary and director last November and her resignation was confirmed by the Companies Registration Office. There had been a delay by her fellow director in filing the paperwork, she said.

Mr Cahill said it was Revenue’s position that Ms Savill must file a statement as she had been an officer of the company.

Mr Justice Cregan told Ms Savill she was “caught by statute” and, with her fellow director, is required to file a statement of affairs. He returned the matter before the Examiner’s Court in October.