A tenant has been ordered to pay more than £23,000 to his landlords after failing to pay rent for six months. Former Wirral care home boss Thomas Donohue, 32, moved into a luxurious five-bedroom house in Blundellsands in October 2025, and has not paid rent to owners Denise Foley, 66, and husband Michael, 75, since the first month.
Background of the Case
In May 2025, the ECHO reported that Mr Donohue's firm Brighter Bloom Healthcare Group, which operated three care homes on the Wirral, was wound up after racking up debts of more than £600,000. Denise and Michael raised three sons in the home before downsizing to a bungalow in Formby to be closer to family. Denise said the property was on the market for more than 12 months but did not sell, so the couple took the decision to let it out.
But after receiving a deposit and the first month’s rent, Mr Donohue ceased to pay rent on the house. He told the ECHO he would pay up, as he apologised for the issue which he put down to changing circumstances and financial hardship.
Inspection Reveals Damage
In March, Denise visited the property for an inspection, and said she found laundry, rubbish and dog muck strewn across the house. She said: “There was dog muck everywhere. I sat on the stairs and cried. It's unbelievable what I saw. The garden is unkempt, there was cardboard on the path for months, and I physically cannot go and do anything about it.”
Mr Donohue had permission to keep one dog at the home, but had three living there. Photographs seen by the ECHO show floors strewn with dog mess. Denise reported Mr Donohue to the RSPCA following the inspection as she was concerned for the welfare of the dogs. Mr Donohue told the ECHO the RSPCA had visited the property and “said the dogs were fine”. He added that the house was "not in that state anymore."
Denise said: “We’re stressed. There is the financial stress, but also worrying about the house being trashed. I'll never rent out again, it's just absolutely crazy. The anxiety and the stress it's caused us. It's just been horrendous. I can’t sleep. We sweated to buy that house and that's what hurts us as well.”
Court Ruling
At Liverpool Civil Court on Tuesday (June 2), Mr Donohue was given 14 days to come up with the £23,200 and pay it to the Foleys. The judge ordered the Foleys are entitled to possession of the property within 14 days. Costs of £1,216.04 were ordered payable within 14 days.
Company Debts and Legal Issues
In May 2025, Brighter Bloom Healthcare Group, of which Mr Donohue was the sole director, was wound up after being taken to court by HMRC. The firm operated three care homes in Prenton, Hoylake and Birkenhead. That same month, the ECHO reported on Gill Harris’ months-long battle to get a refund of £4,500 from the firm after her mother overpaid for the care she received before her death.
According to documents produced by insolvency firm Begbies Traynor for Brighter Bloom in April 2025, the money claimed by HMRC was more than £472,000 while British Gas are claiming just under £80,000 and Love to Care more than £91,000. The ECHO reported Brighter Bloom was also in dispute with the landlord of two of its homes. A Trust Online search carried out by the ECHO in May 2025 found the company had also had nine county court judgments, a court order requiring someone to pay a debt, filed against it since April 2024.
Mr Donohue told the ECHO: “The house is not in that state anymore. There is nothing wrong with the dogs.” “The landlords will be getting paid in full,” said Mr Donohue, adding that he is working on a repayment proposal to be submitted to the landlord. He put the non-payment down to changing circumstances and financial hardship. Mr Donohue spoke about the stress the situation had caused him. Regarding the non-payment of rent, Mr Donohue said: “I apologise for that. I have emailed the landlord to apologise.”
