It was quite a hectic week for Tonic pub and nightclub in Blackrock, Dublin. In addition to the UK chain Wetherspoon exchanging contracts to buy the pub, which was under the control of AIB, the taxman also filed a winding-up petition against the company running it on behalf of the bank.

Pubs R Us, whose directors include Shane Campbell, Alan Murtagh and Paul Hoyne, faces the High Court petition in January. It operates as Tonic and also as Innkeepers, a hospitality consultancy in Kildare.

Revenue also filed a similar petition against Galhoy Inns, in which Campbell and Hoyne are also involved. It is in Nama, and is insolvent to the tune of €11.6 million, say its auditors.