Business owners seek injunction over alleged debt collection by Martin Foley

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

NCS Autoparts Limited, its director Paul Lanigan and his wife Brenda Lanigan brought High Court proceedings against accountant Gerard Young, alleging that he hired Martin ‘the Viper’ Foley to collect a disputed debt of approximately €19,000. The proceedings were reported on 1 February 2024.

The plaintiffs claimed Foley called to their home and left a business card in an attempt to collect money for Young. They alleged his involvement was an attempt to intimidate them and said they feared he would return.

Their counsel said they had a good defence to the debt and intended to appeal a circuit court judgment obtained against NCS and have it set aside. It was accepted that a warning letter about the claim had been overlooked in error.

The plaintiffs sought an injunction restraining Young from instructing Foley and his debt recovery business to contact them or call to their property. Their counsel said they had sought an undertaking to that effect but none had been forthcoming.

On 1 February 2024, Mr Justice David Nolan granted the plaintiffs permission, on an ex-parte basis, to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings. He made no injunction order at that stage and made the matter returnable the following week.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.