‘We’ve paid banks €700m but Bank of Ireland persecuted us for 5 years’

Solicitor Brian O’Donnell claims he and his wife have paid €700m to banks worldwide but Bank of Ireland is the only one to have “persecuted us for five years”.

Mr O’Donnell made the claim in opposing the bank’s High Court application requiring him and his wife, Dr Mary Patrick O’Donnell, to peacefully give up possession of the former family home, Gorse Hill, Killiney, Dublin, to a receiver appointed by the bank over a €71.5m debt which was partly secured on the house.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Mr Justice Brian McGovern reserved his decision.