Building company McInerney Holdings today reported a loss before tax of €25 million in 2009 as compared to a pre-exceptional loss before tax of €47 million in 2008.
In its financial report for 2009, the group said it has written down its Irish land bank by over 50 per cent and the UK land bank by almost 40 per cent since mid 2008.
McInerney said that after a further review of the carrying value of its assets in 2009, an impairment charge of €156 million was taken with the first half results in August 2009. In Ireland, the home building division completed 131 private homes as compared to 296 in 2008, while in the United Kingdom, 582 housing units were completed last year, as compared to 750 in 2008.
The company said housing markets in both countries were both severely impacted by lack of mortgage availability and poor consumer sentiment.
In the statement presenting the results, McInerney chairman Ned Sullivan said a stable funding platform was fundamental for the group's operations and was the key priority for the board and management.
The company's stock fell 3 per cent in early trading on the Iseq.