Former Wexford hurling star not arrested yet, court hears

A five-week-old warrant for the arrest of former Wexford hurling star Paul Codd has yet to be executed, the High Court heard yesterday.

The warrant was issued last month arising out Mr Codd's ongoing failure to co-operate with the bankruptcy regime.

Mr Codd, an All-Ireland medal winner in 1996, is alleged to be in contempt of court orders directing him to engage with the official in charge of his bankruptcy.

He was adjudicated bankrupt by the High Court last March over failure to satisfy a judgment for €530,000 secured against him in 2011.

Mr Codd has failed to deal with the Official Assignee in bankruptcy, Chris Lehane, the court appointed official who assist bankrupts in their obligations to creditors, as required under bankruptcy laws.

On Monday at the High Court Mr Lehane told Mr. Justice Brian McGovern that efforts are continuing by the Gardaí to locate Mr Codd.

Once that occurs he will be arrested and brought before the court at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Lehane has previously told the court that several attempts were made to ensure Mr Codd would engage with the bankruptcy process.

However Mr Codd failed to do so and in Mr Lehane's view is the former hurling star in contempt of court.

The application to have Mr Codd declared bankrupt arose from a sale by David Deasey, a dairy farmer from Timoleague, Co Cork, of 46 acres of land at Askinfarney Clonroche, Co Wexford, to Mr Codd for about €800,000.

While a deposit of €40,000 was paid, Mr Codd had not completed the sale and Mr Deasy obtained judgment for €530,326 against Mr Codd in 2011.

When that was not satisfied, Mr Deasy brought the bankruptcy proceedings.