Details of Defendants:
Defendant A: Castle Elms Management Limited, 23 Richmond Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3;
Defendant B: Carmel Bolger, 6 Castle Elms, Coolock, Co. Dublin;
Defendant C: Enda Heneghan, App 9 Block A, Castle Elms, Greencastle Road, Coolock, Dublin 5;
Defendant D: Michael O’Flynn, Apt. 25 Castle Elms Court, Greencastle Road, Coolock, Dublin 5;
Defendant E: Jerry Beades, 50 Stoneyford Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT283SP, United Kingdom.
Venue:
Dublin Metropolitan District Court
Judge:
District Judge O’Neill
Alleged Offences:
All defendants were charged with three contraventions of Section 131(6) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended), relating to the failure of Castle Elms Management Limited to hold an AGM in 2011 and 2012 AND failure to comply with a Direction of an Officer of the Director of Corporate Enforcement requiring an AGM be called. All defendants were also charged with a contravention of section 145(4) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended) relating to the failure to comply with a requirement made by an Officer of the Director of Corporate Enforcement pursuant to section 145(3A) of said Act firstly to produce for inspection minute book(s) kept in accordance with Section 145(1) of said Act and secondly to facilitate inspection and copying of such minute book(s). In addition, Defendants A, B and E were charged with a further contravention of Section 131(6) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended) relating to the failure of Castle Elms Management Limited to hold an AGM in 2010.
Outcome:
Defendant A: Castle Elms Management Limited.
On 28 July 2014, there being no appearance by or on behalf of Castle Elms Management Limited, the Court convicted the defendant on each of the five charges which were before the Court against the company, imposed fines totalling €9,000 and directed that the defendant pay €250 towards the costs of the prosecution.
Defendant B: Carmel Bolger.
On 10 March 2014, on a plea of guilty, the Court convicted the defendant on a single charge pursuant to Section 131(6) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended) and imposed a fine of €250. The Court proceeded [under section 1(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907] to dismiss a further charge relating to contravention of section 131(6) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended). The other three charges which were before the court against this defendant were struck out.
Defendant C: Enda Heneghan.
On 2 July 2014, on a plea of guilty, the Court convicted the defendant on a single charge pursuant to Section 131(6) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended), imposed a fine of €750 and directed the defendant to pay prosecution costs of €250. The Court proceeded [under section 1(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907] to dismiss one charge relating to contravention of Section 131(6) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended) and one in relation to contravention of section 145(4) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended). The other charge which was before the court against this defendant was struck out.
Defendant D: Michael O’Flynn.
On 2 July 2014, on a plea of guilty, the Court convicted the defendant on two charges pursuant to Section 131(6) of the Companies Act 1963 (as amended), imposed fines totalling €1,000 and directed the defendant to pay prosecution costs of €250. The other two charges which were before the court against this defendant were struck out.
Defendant E: Jerry Beades.
On 10 November 2014, the five charges which were before the court against this defendant, and which were contested, were found to be proven. The Court convicted the defendant on each charge, imposed fines totalling €10,500 and directed that the defendant pay €250 towards the costs of the prosecution. The Court fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal. The Accused subsequently appealed to the Circuit Court.
Dublin Circuit Court Appeal 8 October 2015