Sammon Group examiner confirmed after Carillion collapse

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court confirmed Michael McAteer as examiner to the Sammon Group and related companies on 16 April 2018, after the construction group had entered examinership following the collapse of Carillion. Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan confirmed the appointment, and there were no objections to the application.

Mr McAteer of Grant Thornton had been appointed interim examiner on 5 April by Mr Justice Robert Haughton. The judge said the firms were insolvent, but an independent expert’s report stated that they had a reasonable prospect of survival if certain steps were taken.

The examiner had up to 100 days to prepare a scheme of arrangement with creditors. If approved by the High Court, the scheme would allow the group to continue trading as a going concern.

The Kildare-based group was owed about €8 million by an entity involving Carillion. Barrister Ross Gorman, for the group, said payments from the special purpose vehicle, known as Inspired Spaces, had ceased the previous December. The group had consequently been unable to pay suppliers and subcontractors on those projects.