Bank’s application adjourned after developer collapses in court

AN application by Bank of Ireland for €11.75 million judgment orders against a Co Wicklow property developer arising from unpaid loans has been adjourned after the developer became ill in court and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The full hearing of BoI’s action against George Wilkin, of Roselawn Green, Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, was listed for hearing before Mr Justice Seán Ryan at the Commercial Court yesterday, after talks between the sides had failed to resolve the issue.

However, shortly before the case was due to open, Mr Wilkin collapsed in court and required medical attention. An ambulance crew with the Dublin City Fire Brigade arrived on the scene within minutes and Mr Wilkin was taken to the Mater Hospital.

It was then decided that the case should not proceed in Mr Wilkin’s absence. Mr Justice Ryan, who expressed his concern for Mr Wilkin’s welfare, agreed to adjourn the matter. “I hope he is all right,” the judge added.

The case had been expected to last for five days. The court heard that both parties were agreeable for the case to be mentioned before Mr Justice Peter Kelly at next Monday’s sitting of the Commercial Court.

In its proceedings, BoI is seeking judgment for approximately €11.75m over loans advanced between 2005 and 2007 to allow Mr Wilkin invest in residential development sites in Bray. The bank demanded repayment of the loans 12 months ago after alleging Mr Wilkin had fallen into arrears of repayments and had initially sought summary judgment orders for €11.75m from the developer.

However in opposing the bank’s action, Mr Wilkin’s legal team argued that the loans were not true on demand facilities and the bank was not entitled at this stage to call them in.

Last March, the sides agreed that the matter should go to plenary hearing after Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan said it appeared Mr Wilkin had raised an arguable defence against the bank’s claim.