Banks told to give leeway on arrears

A HIGH Court judge has warned banks not to put those in mortgage arrears in a “Catch 22 position” where they are up front about their financial situation but are not given any leeway in attempting to repay their debts.

The warning from Judge Elizabeth Dunne came at a Dublin High Court session where she reluctantly granted repossession orders on seven properties, among them two family homes.

Adjourning one case involving Bank Of Ireland and a couple who had stated they were in severe financial difficultly but were attempting some repayments, Judge Dunne said: “I don’t like to hear these Catch 22 situations when a person is being up front with the bank and they’re not facilitated.”