• DLA Piper advises Fairfield Real Estate Finance on Goldman Sachs financing

Global law firm DLA Piper has advised Fairfield Real Estate Finance, one of Ireland’s leading non-bank real estate lenders, on its financing with Goldman Sachs.

The funds are to be deployed as part of Fairfield’s new €600 million lending programme with Initiative Ireland for the construction of residential homes across Ireland.

The DLA Piper team consisted of partner Kate Curneen, financial services head Conor Houlihan, legal director Liam Mills, senior associate Elaine Cummins, London-based senior associate Shilpa Rajagopal and associate Oisin Mulvihill. Partner Sean Murray and senior associate Michael Tansley advised on tax matters.

Chris Wilson, chief executive of Fairfield Real Estate Finance, commented: “We appreciate the hard work and diligence of the entire DLA Piper team.

“This complex, cross-border financing significantly expands the capacity of our joint lending programme with Initiative Ireland and facilitates the delivery of high-quality, energy-efficient social and affordable housing to the Irish market. Kate and her colleagues did an exceptional job in supporting this key initiative for Fairfield.”

Ms Curneen added: “We are delighted to have worked with Fairfield again, advising on the financing by Goldman Sachs of their joint venture lending programme with Initiative Ireland.

“At a time of unprecedented demand for housing stock in the Irish market, this funding will help facilitate Fairfield and Initiative Ireland’s ambitious plans to enable small, medium and large-scale developers to deliver 5,000 new homes nationwide over the next three years.

“The transaction clearly demonstrates the appetite that institutional investors have for a diverse range of real estate opportunities in Ireland.”

• A&L Goodbody advises AJ Capital Partners on €47m hotel acquisition

A&L Goodbody’s Belfast office has acted alongside Travers Smith LLP in advising US-headquartered AJ Capital Partners on its €47 million acquisition of the iconic Slieve Donard Resort & Spa in Co Down.

Following its acquisition from Northern Ireland-based Hastings Hotels, the resort will be the first on the island of Ireland operated by AJ Capital Partners under its Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts brand.

The brand already has a collection of high-end golf resorts in St Andrews, North Berwick and Troon, Scotland.

The A&L Goodbody team was led by corporate and M&A partner Peter Stafford, property partner Tracey Schofield and property consultant James Pringle.

• Eugene F Collins advises Glenigan on acquisition of Construction Information Services
  

Eugene F Collins has advised Glenigan, market intelligence specialists for the construction sector, on its acquisition of Construction Information Services (CIS).

Founded in 1972, CIS is Ireland’s leading provider of business intelligence to the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland construction industry.

The purchase of CIS solidifies Glenigan’s position as the most comprehensive provider of construction sales leads and industry insight in the UK and Republic of Ireland and expands holding company Byggfakta Group’s international portfolio.

EFC’s corporate team, led by associate Catherine Cusack and partner Nicola McGrath, advised Glenigan on the transaction.

• Wallace Corporate Counsel advises Governor Software on acquisition
  

Dublin-based Wallace Corporate Counsel LLP has advised Governor Software on its acquisition by MyComplianceOffice (MCO).

Governor Software supports senior risk and compliance executives at financial institutions maintain governance and oversight through clear visualisation of their regulatory obligations and risk appetite.

MCO provides compliance management software that enables companies around the world to reduce their risk of misconduct.

“With the acquisition of Governor Software, MCO can help firms significantly enhance their compliance governance practices,” MCO CEO Brian Fahey said.