High Court finds grounds to extend John Hoey's bankruptcy

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

The High Court found grounds to extend John Hoey’s bankruptcy, but left the question of any further extension and its duration for final adjudication. Ms Justice Pilkington delivered her judgment on 8 April 2020.

Official Assignee Christopher D. Lehane had applied for a 10-year extension, or another period the court considered appropriate. His application concerned alleged failures to cooperate in realising assets and to disclose assets or income that could benefit creditors.

The Official Assignee relied on four grounds: machinery moved into storage at a local hotel, €12,000 found on Hoey’s premises, the alleged hiding of Kepak money and a failure to furnish a proper statement of affairs.

The judge found grounds under both statutory criteria. She said she would hear the parties on whether to allow a short period for further cooperation before final adjudication; any further cooperation could affect the extent of an extension. The terms of any orders, including costs, also remained to be addressed.

Hoey was adjudicated bankrupt on 29 February 2016. An order made on 20 February 2017 extended his bankruptcy to 27 April 2017, after which it was extended pending determination of the application.