20 made bankrupt amid packed list

Up to 20 people were adjudicated to be bankrupt at the High Court yesterday, while dozens more cases were adjourned.

Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan presided over the weekly bankruptcy list, which included more than 80 applications concerning people at various stages of the process. The courtroom was packed with applicants and solicitors.

The list included individuals just entering the bankruptcy process and others in relation to whom applications for adjudication of bankruptcy were ready for determination.

Up to 20 adjudications were made in less than an hour by the judge on the basis of documents provided in advance and the applicants being in court.

The list also included the names of some more well-known individuals, including developer Sean Dunne and retired solicitor Brian O’Donnell and his wife Mary Patricia, who have already been adjudicated bankrupt and whose estates are being administered.

A number of applications concerned what is to happen to the family homes of couples where one of the spouses has been adjudicated bankrupt.

Edward Farrelly, who appeared for official assignee Chris Lehane in relation to several of those applications, secured orders adjourning them to facilitate negotiations.

Other applications involving petitions by various creditors were adjourned to allow debtors time to provide documents and sought or to facilitate negotiations.

The judge also dealt with applications related to discharging funds to meet mortgage payments and, in one case, to facilitate visits by a man to see his children who are in another European country.

In another application in which the Revenue Commissioners have petitioned for a man’s bankruptcy, the judge was told difficulties have been experienced in personally serving documents on him.

The judge agreed to make orders allowing the documents be served by post on the man at a business address and another address in Co Wicklow.