Judge: Banks had their way too long

Banks have had it their own way for too long, a judge said yesterday, adding that he would bend over backwards to facilitate anybody who makes a genuine effort to deal with their indebtedness.

Judge Gerald Keys was dealing with a case involving AIB bank and a Co Limerick farmer, Michael O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien, a 53-year-old farmer of Bulgaden, Kilmallock, told the court he was seeking an adjournment as he had discharged his legal team from representing.

He said he was not pleased with things that were going on and the advice he got.

The case involves a debt of €250,000 to the bank. The bank seeks possession of Mr O’Brien’s farm. He wanted an adjournment so as to instruct a new legal team.

Judge Keys asked if it was the case that he did not like the advice he was getting or his lawyers would not do what he wanted them to do.

Barrister Erin O’Hagan, who had represented Mr O’Brien, said they had put a lot of work into the case .

The judge told Mr O’Brien he must have a valid reason to get an adjournment.

Ms O’Hagan said they had negotiated a deal with AIB on behalf of Mr O’Brien for an agreed amount, less than €250,000. She said: “Mr O’Brien felt he did not have a solid deal which was written in stone.”

The judge told Mr O’Brien: “I am told your lawyers have done a deal for you. The banks have had it their own way for long enough and I will listen to anybody and bend over backwards to facilitate them if they try to settle with a bank to deal with their indebtedness.”

After a short adjournment, Ms O’Hagan told Judge Keys she was now being retained by Mr O’Brien and sought an adjournment.

Judge Keys put the case back to November 8.