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Stokes brothers barred as directors until 2016

The court heard that Simon and Christian Stokes endured a very public fall from grace
The court heard that Simon and Christian Stokes endured a very public fall from grace

Brothers Simon and Christian Stokes have been disqualified from acting as directors of any company for just over four years.

The High Court made the orders this afternoon after an application by the liquidator of their company, with the consent of the brothers.

The brothers' restaurant business in Dublin was wound up in 2010 with debts of €2.4m

Their business Mayfair Properties, ran Bang Café Restaurant on Merrion Row.

The brothers indicated late last year that they would consent to the disqualification orders.

They are already subject to a restriction order which prevents them from acting as directors of companies unless those companies meet minimal capital requirements.

Lawyers for the liquidator of the company outlined the matters that should lead to the brothers' disqualification.

These were the personal use of company credit cards, an inter-company loan and the use of a credit card machine belonging to another company.

However lawyers for the liquidator and the Stokes brothers also outlined a number of mitigating factors.

The court was told they were young men, with young families, and heavy mortgages.

The court was also told they had endured a very public fall from grace as they had had "celebrity status" during the Celtic Tiger years and now had to suffer adverse publicity.

Lawyer, Bernard Dunleavy for the liquidator, said their conduct arose from immaturity and want of care as much as from deliberate misconduct.

In a sworn document on behalf of the brothers, Simon Stokes said they had acted irresponsibly and their businesses were in ruins.

They now work as floor managers in Il Segreto, a restaurant owned by their father and receive a salary of €2,500 a month each, the court heard.

Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan disqualified them from acting as directors of any company until 31 March 2016