Solicitor asks two judges to step aside for BoI hearing

Solicitor Brian O’Donnell yesterday objected to two different commercial court judges hearing an application involving himself, his wife and two sons, in an action brought by Bank of Ireland.

Mr O’Donnell and his son Blake first asked Mr Justice Peter Kelly to recuse himself (to withdraw from a position of judging) and then asked Mr Justice Brian McGovern, who refused the application.

They made their applications as Bank Of Ireland sought to set down a timetable towards the hearing of its action against Brian O’Donnell, his wife, Mary Patricia O’Donnell and two adult sons Blake and Bruce alleging fraud against them over allegedly conspiring to put in place a “blatant scheme” to put a London property asset beyond its reach.