Judge rejects O’Donnells’ statement of affairs bid

A High Court judge has rejected arguments by retired solicitor Brian O’Donnell and his wife that they do not have the necessary information to enable them to provide statements of affairs.

After being adjudicated bankrupt by the High Court in September 2013, Mr O’Donnell and his wife Dr Mary Patricia were required to file statements of affairs in the High Court central office and also provide those statements to the trustee administering their bankruptcy, Official Assignee Chris Lehane, Ms Justice Caroline Costello said.

The couple failed to file the statements in the prescribed form and argued they could not do so because they did not have certain information, including detailed financial information from Bank of Ireland concerning their precise debt to, and facilities with, that institution. They also argued they were entitled to certain information from Mr Lehane.