Opticians confirm they are not part of examinership process

MacNally outlets in Stephen’s Green and Nutgrove clarify that they have no links to wider MacNally chain

Two Dublin eye care specialist have moved to clarify that they are not part of the examiner process involving the wider MacNally chain.

MacNally Opticians on St Stephens Green said it was separate entity and had no links to the MacNally chain, which was placed into examinership this week.

And Donal MacNally Opticians in Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, which is run by Breda and Brian Kearney, said it too had no connection with the MacNally chain. The Kearneys bought the business out of the MacNally chain back in May 2018.

It is understood the Nutgrove business will shortly be changing its name to Kearney & MacNally Opticians.

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''Due to recent media coverage surrounding Donal MacNally Opticians, we feel it is important to clarify that Mac Nally Opticians on the Green is not part of, and has no links to that company," MacNally Opticians on the Green said.

Donal MacNally senior sold Donal MacNally Opticians in 1995 and since then has not held any management or directorship positions at the firm, it added.

The following year Mr MacNally opened MacNally Opticians on the Green as a completely separate venture.

"We are an independent, family-run practice owned by the directors Donal Snr, Ellen and Kevin MacNally. MacNally Opticians on the Green continue to trade and operate very successfully," the company said.

“For the past 23 years we have been proud to provide a very high level of service to our customers, offering unique and bespoke products that are largely unavailable elsewhere,’’ it said.

The MacNally chain, Dublin’s largest independent opticians chain, was put into examinership following a hearing at Dublin Circuit Court on Thursday.

The chain, which employs 24 staff and has stores in Clondalkin, Swords, Malahide, Sutton and Navan, sought the protection of the courts after racking up losses of €4 million.