10/09/2009

Decision Due On Zoe Group Survival

Developer Liam Carroll's Zoe group is today waiting to hear in the High Court whether it will survive, for the second time.

The High Court is expected to announce its decision today on whether to appoint an examiner to the powerful Irish property developer's troubled Zoe group.

This unprecedented second appeal for examinership status is opposed by Dutch-owned ACC Bank, who had earlier described the eleventh hour attempt at survival against billion euro debts as "aspirational".

Seven companies owned by the property developer are part of the high profile application for examinership before the High Court, which would allow Carroll time to hold back his debtors and stave off the decimation of the group, which is believed could result in the failure of the 51 company empire in the wider Zoe group.

The companies have debts of €1.2bn, but under a business plan submitted as part of its application, Zoe believes it can meet its debts over a three to five year period.

Part of the plan includes the non-payment of interest for two years on its debts owed to eight banks.

The application is opposed by ACC Bank, which is owed €136m.

Zoe's original application was turned down by the Commercial Court and an appeal to the Supreme Court was also rejected.

(DW/KMcA)


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