Tale of inspection, liquidation and court action

1984

1984

Investors buy land on Clonmannon Estate, near Ashford, Co Wicklow, to build 46 bungalows for retired people. The package is to include a nursing home, dining and social facilities in Clonmannon House.

1987

A receiver is appointed.

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1993

The 40 residents refuse to pay service charge increases to Hilltop Catering which has taken over the care contracts and from November withhold all payments because services are cut off.

1994

The Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Ruairi Quinn, appoints an inspector, Mr Martin Cosgrove, to examine the affairs of three firms involved with Clonmannon. He concludes that Clonmannon was not loss-making, as had been claimed by the then owners but was profitable.

1995 Clonmannon put into liquidation on the petition of the Minister.

1996

McGraths buy the freehold to Clonmannon. They declare they will move into Clonmannon House and will not open a nursing home in the foreseeable future. They introduce a new service arrangement in which residents pay a lower basic service charge but facilities such as lunch and laundry are paid for separately.

1997

Six leaseholders oppose the McGraths' plans, saying Clonmannon House should be for the sole use of residents and not for the McGraths and that the original care contracts must be honoured.

1999

Of the 40 residents in Clonmannon in 1993, only 17 remain. Most say they back the McGraths. The matter is expected to return to the High Court some time this year. The McGraths say they will shortly unveil plans for new developments at Clonmannon.