The director of a pasta take-away has been held personally liable in the Dublin Circuit Civil Court for a £30,000 debt for refurbishment of the restaurant.
Judge Liam Devally yesterday granted the decree against Mr Kieran O'Donohoe, Maracott, The Coppins, Foxrock, Dublin, in favour of Albert Electrical Ltd, trading as Albert Building Services, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin.
Mr Senan Allen, counsel for Albert Building Services, said the work had been carried out at the premises of a former night-club at Merrion Road, Ballsbridge.
Judge Devally said he had to decide whether it was a company debt or a personal liability. No contract had been signed but some payments had been made personally by Mr O'Donohoe, including a personal cheque for £23,000. Invoices had been sent to the company, Pasta Presto Ltd, at Mr O'Donohoe's request.
"It is clear from the evidence that the corporate veil was not in place at the initial stages and when it was invoked it was done in the guise of restructuring," Judge Devally said.