Codd claims he was coerced over bankruptcy

Former All-Ireland Wexford hurler Paul Codd has claimed before the High Court he was coerced into giving undertakings to the court to co-operate with his bankruptcy and avoid spending Christmas in Mountjoy Prison.

Two days before Christmas he secured his release from Mountjoy, where he had been following his arrest on foot of a warrant issued for his alleged non-compliance with the court appointed official in charge of his bankruptcy.

Yesterday when the matter returned before the High Court, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan was told by lawyers for Friends First Finance that Mr Codd had failed to comply with undertakings given to the court in December to return several items of machinery it leased to Mr Codd’s now-dissolved company, Paul Codd Ltd.

Mr Codd, representing himself, said he gave the undertakings including one to return the machinery and signed a statements of affairs in regards to his bankruptcy “under duress” because he wanted to go home to his distraught children.

He told Mr Justice Hogan he did not want to give an undertaking in regards to the return of the machinery because he had not received any communication from Friend’s First lawyers about it.

The judge warned Mr Codd he faced “serious consequences” unless he gave the undertakings sought by the court in respect of the machinery, which included tractors, a plough, forklifts, and a car.

After some deliberations Mr Codd gave fresh undertakings that he would return the items of machinery, the subject of lease agreements for which Mr Codd had gone guarantor and to co-operate with the bankruptcy process. He agreed to deliver up the machinery in two weeks’ time.

The matter was adjourned to a date in February.

Last month, Mr Codd, a former Wexford captain, was taken to Mountjoy on the Saturday before Christmas having been arrested.