Gerry Gannon

Gerry Gannon^[1] is an Irish builder and property developer since the 1980s. Gannon played a significant and leading role in the build-up and demise of the Irish property bubble. Gannon was at the centre of the Anglo Irish Bank hidden loans controversy, which was a contributing element in the development of the post-2008 Irish banking crisis.

Background and family life

Gerry Gannon is a native of County Roscommon^[2] and married to Margaret Gannon.

Gerry Gannon said that he is devastated at the death of his only son, Peter on 08 JULY 2013 ^[3]It is the second tragedy for the family - their daughter Emma (6) died over three decades ago. Mr Gannon has three surviving daughters - Julie, Amy and Sarah.

Gannon started his builder activities in the 1980s in London while working for his father's construction firm. Gannon and Michael Smurfit jointly owned the Kildare Hotel and Golf Club - K Club up until Michael Smurfit purchased Gannon's 49% stake for €40 million in 2012 via NAMA.

Building activity

In 1986, through the firm Structural Developments Ltd build at Castle Village in Celbridge. In 1988 through another firm – Noteworthy Limited – with partner Michael Anglim, Gannon planned to build 710 houses at Brackenstown close to Swords. At the time it was one of the largest schemes submitted to Dublin County Council. Permission was granted for the scheme in October 1988. The scheme at the time was said to be worth upwards of £40 million. The site on which the houses were built was bought by Noteworthy Ltd as a parcel of land in 1987. The land was zoned for residential purposes in 1983 against the recommendation of the Council’s planning officials. In April 1990, Gannon, now trading through Gannon Homes, sought permission for a £70 m residential scheme and a shopping centre on a 110-acre site on the Malahide road. The scheme involved 915 houses on a 95-acre site fronting the Malahide Road and the Hole in the Wall road at Ayrfield. They also lodged planning applications for a drive-in restaurant, a pub and a library. The firm bought the land from two sites. The 95 acres were bought from Abbey Group and the 15-acre site was the site of the former Clare Manor Hotel.^[4]

Maple 10, Anglo 10 or the Golden Circle

The 'Maple 10', also known as the Anglo 10 or the Golden Circle, was a group of Irish investors. The Maple 10 besides Gerry Gannon include Jackson O'Sullivan, John McCabe, Paddy McKillen, Jerry Conlan, Joe O’Reilly, Patrick Kearney, Brian O’Farrell, Gerry Maguire and Sean Reilly.^[5]^[6] The Irish Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) examines the file on Anglo's "Maple 10" deals.^[7]

Transfer of assets to wife Margaret

As reported by the Irish Independent newspapers on 20 February 2011, "a portfolio of properties worth about €12m was transferred into the name of developer Gerry Gannon's wife, Margaret, between 21 May and 10 December 2009".^[8]

Gerry Gannon

Background and family life

Building activity

Maple 10, Anglo 10 or the Golden Circle

Transfer of assets to wife Margaret

References