The High Court has extended to eight years the bankruptcy of Co Monaghan farmer John Hoey whose cattle were shot by members of the Defence Forces in 2016. The decision by Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington means that Mr Hoey from Carrickmacross will not emerge from bankruptcy until February 2024. Earlier this year the judge ruled that Mr Hoey's bankruptcy should be extended due to his lack of co-operation with the official in charge of his bankruptcy, the Official Assignee(OA), Chris Lehane. In the circumstances, she was satisfied to extend Mr Hoey's bankruptcy by eight years from the time he was adjudicated bankrupt. Mr Hoey claimed that everything he had worked for was "literally wiped out and destroyed" by Mr Lehane and his agents.

Source: Irish Independent July 15, 2020 06:56 UTC