Fossett's Circus is fighting to fend off its creditors, and facing total financial collapse the company has entered examinership - with Joseph Walsh of Hughes Blake Accountants operating as examiner.

Barry Lyons, Mr Walsh's solicitor, asked Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke to grant Fossett's an extension of its court protection from its creditors.

The circus was granted the extension until mid-January.

When discussing the financial prospects of the company, he said that the circus had benefited from Google's booking, which took over the RDS in early December.

The Sunday Independent reported that the Christmas bash cost €300,000. Google employees enjoyed exclusive access to the RDS's Winter Funderland - including the ice-skating rink, ferris wheel, amusements, a whole room dedicated to balloons, and performances from Fossett's Circus.

Fossett's will remain at the RDS for the duration of the festive period - the court was told that attendances have been strong since its Christmas-residency started at the south-Dublin venue.

Mr Walsh believes that the family firm has a reasonable chance of surviving.

The court heard that the business had been struggling since 2010 - and that it nearly went-under in October 2013.

The family business has been handed down from generation to generation, but the court was told that a family dispute that started in 1992 ran until 2008, ending with a €500,000 settlement. This debt still hangs over the company.

The circus's history can be traced back to the 1880s, and it is based in Lucan, Dublin 20. It currently employs 16 people.