Provisional liquidator appointed to linked companies which own hotels in Cork

A provisional liquidator has been appointed by the High Court to two linked companies which own small hotels in Co Cork.

Mr Justice Brian Cregan appointed John Healy, of Kroll Advisory, as provisional liquidator to Blue Cross Holdings Ltd, which operated the Blue Haven Hotel and Hamlets of Kinsale Bar in Kinsale, and to Larmona Ltd, which operated the Schull Harbour Hotel in Schull. Blue Cross is no longer trading.

The court heard the companies had significant debts, including some €1.5m owed to Revenue.

Blue Cross, which is owned by Ciaran Fitzgerald and his brother Cormac, acquired the Blue Haven in 2004 but ran into financial difficulties in 2008, according to the petition presented on behalf of the company.

Subsequently, in 2013, the brothers' relationship broke down irretrievably following a restructuring.

In 2023, Cormac issued personal injury proceedings against Ciaran, the company and Daniel O'Keeffe, who bought both hotels in 2013 but sold them back in 2025 to Ciaran.

Cormac claimed in his proceedings he suffered neurological injury as a result of things including oppression and isolation. The claims were denied.

Both companies ran into trading difficulties and are both now unable to pay their debts.

Ciaran Fitzgerald is the sole owner of the Larmona. Liquor licences for the Blue Haven/Hamlets remain in the name of the company, with Ciaran as nominee, but it has not been possible to have an interim transfer of them due to the Revenue debts.

On Friday, Mr Justice Cregan said he was satisfied to grant the application on behalf of both companies, made by Arthur Cunningham BL, to appoint the provisional liquidator. He said the case could come back to court next month.