The High Court has dismissed an application by Sean Dunne seeking production of his entire bankruptcy file covering more than 12 years.
Mr Dunne, who represents himself and also acts as next friend for three other plaintiffs, is challenging the validity of appointments of two former official assignees and the lawfulness of actions they subsequently took in his bankruptcy.
In July 2025, the court ordered that the case proceed in stages. The first module is confined to whether the appointments themselves were valid.
Mr Dunne then sought an order compelling the Examiner of the High Court and the Insolvency Service of Ireland to provide his complete bankruptcy file from July 2013 to the present in one consolidated digital format within seven days. He argued that the records were essential because, if the appointments were invalid, actions taken by the official assignees could also be affected.
Mr Justice Liam Kennedy dismissed the application on several grounds.
The court found that Mr Dunne had not first made the formal written request for voluntary discovery required by the Rules of the Superior Courts. Such a request must identify precise documents or categories and explain why each is relevant and necessary.
The judge also held that court and Examiner files could not simply be obtained through an ordinary discovery order against the respondents where there was no evidence those files were or had been in their possession, power or procurement. Separate rules govern non-party discovery and access to court files.
The court further found that a demand for the entire file was too broad and amounted to a fishing expedition. Documents concerning years of asset sales, transfers, reports and other bankruptcy administration were not shown to be necessary to decide the immediate question of whether the official assignees were validly appointed.
The judge noted that the Examiner’s Office had already offered Mr Dunne access to a copy of its file subject to the usual conditions and fees.
The discovery application was dismissed. Costs were left for determination at a later hearing.