Mansfield opposes €206m bank claim

HOTELIER Jim Mansfield is opposing Bank of Scotland’s claim for summary judgment orders for €206m against him on grounds including that the bank’s failure to honour an alleged agreement to loan more money to complete the Citywest convention centre lead to the collapse of the Mansfield group.

The claim that this “magnificent empire” collapsed because of the bank’s refusal to provide additional funds in 2008, a time when most of the Mansfield group loans were in “serious and repeated default”, with more than €200m owed to the bank, was “extraordinary” and unsupported, said Paul Gallagher SC, for the bank.

Mr Mansfield’s case was “utterly fanciful” and among the most “far-fetched” to have come before the Commercial Court, said Cian Ferriter SC, also for the bank.