As many as 7,000 customers of Rathwood, the home and garden retailer, have been warned that they are unlikely to receive full refunds for unfulfilled orders. Examiner Padraic Bermingham of Strata Financial, appointed to oversee the company’s court-led restructuring, stated that affected consumers should expect only a “nominal sum” back as the business attempts to manage liabilities totaling €18 million.
Why are Rathwood customers being warned about refunds?
The warning from Padraic Bermingham follows a High Court process initiated in April by brothers Thomas and James Keogh, the operators of Rathwood. According to the examiner, the company’s records show a high volume of outstanding claims involving unfulfilled orders and unpaid refund requests. The examiner’s assessment, detailed in a letter to customers, confirms that the company is not in a financial position to provide full reimbursement. Of the €18 million in liabilities reported to the High Court, approximately €2.5 million consists of customer deposits and vouchers, alongside €10 million owed to trade creditors and €1.4 million to the Revenue Commissioners.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) advises customers to contact their bank or card provider immediately to initiate the chargeback process. This is often the most effective route for recovering funds when a retailer enters insolvency.
What steps must affected customers take now?
To establish a legitimate claim, customers must complete an online customer claim confirmation form by June 12th. This form requires specific documentation, including reference numbers, dates, and the total amount paid. Grainne Griffin, the CCPC’s director of communications, has urged consumers to review correspondence from the examiner carefully and submit the required details without delay. The process requires customers to disclose if they have already requested a refund or if they have initiated a chargeback with their financial institution.
The rise in consumer complaints before examinership
The current crisis follows a period of significant regulatory scrutiny for the retailer. In 2025, Rathwood was the second most-complained-about company in Ireland, trailing only Ryanair. The CCPC recorded 565 contacts regarding the retailer, a sharp increase from the 24 contacts reported the previous year. Prior to entering examinership, the company had signed a legally-binding commitment to issue refunds following a CCPC investigation that found breaches of consumer protection legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an examinership? It is a legal process providing a financially struggling company with court protection to restructure, negotiate with creditors, and seek new investment.
- Can I still get my money back from Rathwood? The examiner warns that only a “nominal sum” is expected for claims. Customers are strongly encouraged by the CCPC to pursue a chargeback through their credit or debit card provider.
- When is the deadline to submit a claim? Affected customers must complete the online claim confirmation form by June 12th.
Before the current examinership process, Rathwood faced formal investigations by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) regarding its refund policies, which led to a legally-binding agreement to rectify consumer issues.
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