High Court appoints liquidator to FAI kit supplier

The High Court has appointed a provisional liquidator to a firm which supplies kit from the national football teams and others over debts of €13.3 million.

JACC Sports Distributors Ireland supplies jerseys and sportswear for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) which is worn by the national teams and is the firm's most valuable contract.

It also has a number of other club supply deals, including with Connacht Rugby, smaller League of Ireland clubs as well as a valuable contract with the FAI's exclusive retail partner, Elverys.

The FAI last Monday terminated its contract which the court heard effectively meant JACC had to close.

On Wednesday, JACC's largest creditor, Deal Partners Logistics Ltd - owed nearly €7.3 million - petitioned Mr Justice Brian O'Moore to appoint a provisional liquidator to the firm in circumstances where there was serious concern about the running of the company and its failure to meet debt repayments over the last few months.

The judge adjourned it to Thursday so that JACC could be notified of the petition and represented.

On Thursday, the judge said it came as "some surprise" that there was no appearance on behalf of JACC.

There was however an appearance by a solicitor for Ulster Bank - owed €3.8 million - which was not opposing the appointment of the provisional liquidator and for the Revenue - owed €2.5 million, - which was reserving its position on the application.

Mr Justice O'Moore was satisfied to appoint Aengus Burns of Grant Thornton as provisional liquidator and the application to confirm the liquidator was adjourned for a week.

He was satisfied that the directors of the JACC had been properly served and that the application to appoint the provisional liquidator had been effectively