Farmer avoids jail for halting receiver

A Co Kildare farmer has avoided being jailed a second time for contempt after undertaking before the High Court to comply with orders to hand over vacant possession of farm buildings on his property to a bank appointed receiver.

Paul O’Shea, of Davidstown, Castledermot, Co Kildare, was told by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan he had 21 days to hand over vacant possession and could apply later for an order restraining sale of the relevant buildings, and certain lands, pending a full hearing of the dispute between himself and the receiver.

Mr O’Shea was before the court over alleged contempt of an order granted last December compelling him hand over possession of the buildings to George Maloney, appointed by Danske Bank in 2012 as receiver over two fields totalling 31 hectares owned by Mr O’Shea put up as security on a 2003 loan. Default on that loan lead to the bank getting judgment for €1.29m against Mr O’Shea.