Report: Lender pursues property in 15 counties

One of the country’s most controversial sub-prime lenders is vigorously seeking to repossess dozens of properties in at least 15 counties after every one of his borrowers went into default.

Much of the funds given out originated with a US investment fund run by Ronald Weisz’s father, Stanley Weisz. Mr Weisz Sr was one of the key players convicted in the 1980s as part of the FBI’s Abscam affair, which inspired the Hollywood movie American Hustle.

These funds were invested in Ireland through a Central Bank-licensed firm which has initiated 50 High Court repossession cases in recent years. Regulators granted the retail credit licence in spite of concerns about the criminal background of the company’s owner, Ronald Weisz.