Pinsent Masons advises Briggs Equipment on acquisition of Galway Plant and Tool Hire

Pinsent Masons has advised Briggs Equipment on its acquisition of Galway Plant and Tool Hire (GPT), one of Ireland’s largest and most successful plant, commercial vehicle and tool hire specialists.

Operating from eight sites throughout the Republic of Ireland, GPT employs more than 90 people and has delivered a trademark, high-quality service to customers since 1969.

This acquisition will see Briggs Equipment established as the largest plant hire company in Ireland and will help bolster its equipment fleet and increase coverage across the country.

The Pinsent Masons team, led from Dublin, included partner Oisín McLoughlin, senior associate Sarah Hope and solicitor Maeve O’Brien.

Flynn O’Driscoll advises Three Rock Group on acquisition of Chrome Insurance

Flynn O’Driscoll has advised the Three Rock Group on its acquisition of Dublin-based broker Chrome Insurance for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition marks the latest addition to the Three Rock Group portfolio, which includes Chill Insurance, Quote Devil and Ivernia.

Michael McLaughlin, CEO of Three Rock Group, said: “We are continuously looking to bring value and scale to the market and believe this acquisition will be for the benefit of both the Group and Chrome’s customers.

“With this acquisition we continue to grow our presence in personal lines insurance within the Irish market and help deliver our mission to bring Irish consumers choice and competition.”

The Flynn O’Driscoll team included partner Alan O’Driscoll and associate Deirdre Walsh, both in the corporate and commercial team.

Ogier Leman advises Press Up on acquisition of Butler Arms Hotel

Ogier Leman has acted for Press Up Hospitality Group in its successful acquisition of the iconic Butler Arms Hotel in Waterville, Co Kerry, on the west coast of Ireland.

Press Up, which is part of Irish businessman Paddy McKillen Jr’s McKillen Group, is a long-standing client of Ogier Leman. The firm has assisted Press Up on a number of transactions since the group’s establishment in 2009.

The law firm’s real estate and corporate teams acted for the acquirer of the entire issued share capital of The Butler Arms Hotel Limited, from the selling shareholders, which involved the acquisition of the hotel property.

The team was led by John Hogan, practice partner and head of real estate, with corporate associate Sharon Meaney and trainee solicitor Feidhlim Seoige from the real estate department.

Mr Hogan said: “We are delighted to have assisted the McKillen Group in negotiating the acquisition of the Butler Arms. Dealing with a family business that has been owned for generations always presents sensitive challenges and we appreciated all the teamwork from the vendors, their advisors and our clients in smoothing through the challenges. I’m excited to see the future plans for this wonderful hotel.”

ByrneWallace advises Red Rock Group on new hotel development

ByrneWallace LLP has acted for the Red Rock Group in the forward fund of a hotel development in Gloucester Street, Dublin 2 to an Aviva Long Income Fund.

Due to complete in the fourth quarter of 2022, the development — which has been pre-let to the Premier Inn group under a long-term lease — will comprise a 10-storey 113-bedroom hotel.

David Carroll, chief investment officer at Red Rock Developments, said: “It has been a pleasure dealing with Aviva Investors’ European Real Estate Long Income Fund on their first transaction in Ireland, which we hope will deliver secure long-term returns for their investors.

“The Gloucester Street building is a unique asset offering inflation-linked long-term income, an FTSE-listed occupier/operator, and delivering the requisite ESG credentials required by long-income investors. We look forward to completing the development later this year.”

The ByrneWallace LLP team who advised on the deal included property partner Michelle McVeigh and partner and head of infrastructure, construction and energy Martin Cooney.