Architect Paul Clinton is understood to have joined the race to buy Flannery's on Camden Street, one of the best-known pubs in Dublin city, with a bid estimated by sources at up to €7 million.

Mr Clinton, who co-owns the nearby Cassidy’s pub, is prominent among three separate bidders for Flannery’s, which is in examinership.

It is understood that the other bidders include the Mangan family, who own well-known Dublin pub Doheny & Nesbitt, and a third proposal led by the exploration and cinemas investor Tom Anderson.

Awaiting approval
A scheme of arrangement has been presented to creditors by the examiner, Neil Hughes of Hughes Blake accountants, and it is now awaiting approval from the High Court.

The case was listed for mention in the court yesterday, but was adjourned until the middle of the month.

When asked to confirm the identities of the bidders yesterday, Mr Hughes declined to comment on any aspect of the examinership as the matter is still before the courts. Radio investor Mike Ormonde, who is a director of Flannery's, also declined to comment. Mr Clinton could not be reached for comment yesterday, and a man who answered the phone at the office that is listed for him said he was not there.

Colin Dolan, a nephew of the late singer Joe Dolan, is also a director of Flannery's. Mr Dolan co-owns the nearby Cassidy's pub with Mr Clinton using a company called Westmoreland Street Bar.

Flannery's was placed into examinership in November by its owners after Vanguard Property Finance, which bought an €11 million loan associated with the pub from Bank of Scotland, attempted to call in the loan and appoint a receiver.

After a number of High Court hearings involving the pub’s owners and Vanguard, the examinership was confirmed in December.