Gazette Group secures court protection

Gazette Group Newspaper Ltd, publisher of eight free newspapers in the Dublin area, has secured court protection pending the hearing of its petition next week for the appointment of an examiner to draft a survival scheme.

Its Ulster Bank account has been subject to an attachment order by the Revenue Commissioners over unpaid Revenue debt of some €135,000, the court heard.

Gareth Byrne, for the directors of the company – Michael McGovern, Mary Leane and Thomas Kelly – applied to Mr Justice Brian McGovern for directions concerning the issuing of the petition.

The judge directed the petition should be made returnable for Thursday next, with notice to be served on the company’s main creditors, including Ulster Bank, MRT Cargo, and the Revenue Commissioners.

The Irish Times, printer of the titles and owner of a shareholding in the company, is owed about €92,000.