A man has been prohibited from acting as a Director for 14 years following a stint where he directed a construction company whilst disqualified.

Eoin Frederick Murray directed South Devon Construction SW Ltd (SW)despite being subject to two previous disqualification orders, without leave of the court. The disqualification activated on the 4th November 2014 prohibits him from promoting, managing or acting as the Director of a limited company until 2028.

The de jure Director of SW, David John Constable, was aware that Mr Murray was disqualified, and yet allowed him to act as a Director. Mr Constable has therefore also been disqualified and cannot promote, manage or act as a director for seven years, until 2021.

The exclusions came following inquiries by Companies Investigation Live, acting as part of the Insolvency Service. It was uncovered that despite being handed two disqualification orders,  between 19th November 2010 and 14th August 2012 Mr Murray acted as Director of South Devon Construction Ltd, South Devon Services Ltd, South Devon Construction Exeter Ltd and Nationwide Shopfitters Ltd. He was also declared as bankrupt at the time.

South Devon Construction SW Ltd, which had its last trading address at 4, Marble Court, Torquay, was incorporated on the 19th November 2010, and, on 23rd January 2012, Speedy Asset Services Ltd presented a petition to wind the company up. The winding up order was made against SW on the 14th August 2012.

The disqualification orders against the pair mean that, as well as no longer being allowed to act as a company director, they are also not allowed to take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company of limited liability partnership.

They are also banned from acting as insolvency practitioners or becoming receivers of a company’s property. Other restrictions may also be enforced by other regulations.

Official Receiver in the Public Interest Unit, Paul Titherington, felt that Mr Murray’s extended disqualification would give “significant protection to the trading community and the public purse.”

Mr Titherington said Mr Constable’s disqualification should “notify others that the Insolvency Service will not ignore abrogation of responsibilities.”