Dublin landlord 'didn't know' of €7m court case while in India

A Dublin landlord in contempt of court over a €7m debt to National Irish Bank has handed over his passport, having been briefly held under police supervision.

John Meagher with an address at West Beach, Cobh, Co Cork has told the Commercial Court he had been in India and was unaware of the court proceedings until a friend informed him by telephone.

NIB last month secured a warrant for John Meagher’s arrest over his failure to honour the judgement secured on properties at Charlemont Street in Dublin.

The landlord today turned up voluntarily and informed the court he’d been unaware until recently of the proceedings because he’s been in India, trying to set up holiday resorts.

He maintained this to be the case when counsel for NIB asked him if he was seriously suggesting that his solicitors had not brought the matter to his attention.

When Mr Justice Peter Kelly said he would place the businessman under police supervision until he located his passport and handed it into court, Mr Meagher said he was shocked as he doesn’t feel like he’s committed any great crime.

Mr Meagher has since complied with the instructions and the arrest warrant has been lifted.