13 repossession orders for homes and businesses

THE High Court yesterday granted 13 repossession orders, with many debt-ridden borrowers failing to turn up in court to defend against the taking of their homes or businesses.

A near record number of properties in one day were handed over to lenders as Judge Elizabeth Dunne heard how banks were unable to make contact with or even track down struggling mortgage holders.

In one case a Cavan couple lost two investment properties and their family home to KBC Mortgage Bank after the court heard the borrowers had failed to meet with the lenders or answer their letters.