Halfway House director is 
disqualified

Julianne Ferris (47) of Demesne Valley, Dromore was disqualified for nine years on September 11, in the High Court, Belfast in respect of her conduct as a director of The Halfway House.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment as previously accepted a disqualification undertaking for nine years from another director of the Company.

The Halfway House entered into administration on March 10 2010 with estimated total assets available to preferential creditors of £46,870, liabilities to preferential creditors of £4,924, liabilities to the floating charge holder of £147,123, liabilities to unsecured creditors of £687,614 and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £792,791.

After taking into account the losses incurred by the shareholders of the Company the estimated total deficiency was £792,793.

The matters of unfit conduct alleged by the Department in relation to Julianne Ferris in respect of her conduct as a director of the Company and accepted by the Court were:

Causing and permitting the Company to be financed by the retention of £410,906 due to the Crown consisting of £71,497 in respect of PAYE and £92,589 in respect of NIC for the years 2008/09 and 2009/10; and £246,820 in respect of VAT for the years 2007/08 to 2009/10;

Failing to file Annual Accounts for the Company; Causing and permitting the Company to fail to file Annual Returns; Failing to fully co-operate with the Administrator; Failing to act in the best interests of The Company.

The Department has accepted 32 Disqualification Undertakings and the Court has made five orders disqualifying directors in the financial year.