A number of parties have shown an interest in buying the lands of a Kerry small farmer fighting to save the farm that has been in his family for four generations, the High Court has been told.

Ms Justice Denise Brett granted Tom Curtin and his wife Theresa an adjournment until 11 September to allow their newly hired legal team, Yeats Vaid Solicitors, Dublin, and barrister Roddy McConnell to prepare new written evidence for the court.

But Judge Brett told the Curtins of Knockardtry, Castleisland, that she was not going to allow their legal team to reopen the issues already decided upon by the court with regard to the granting earlier of a possession order in favour of Everyday Finance Limited.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Curtins have succeeded in blocking several attempts by the bank and agent/receiver Luke Charleton to sell their lands at public online auction.

Everyday obtained the possession order for Curtin’s small farm on foot of a 20-year-old AIB loan that had eventually been bought by the bank and twice advertised for sale by Wilsons Auctions in three lots.

Connection to the land

Judge Brett said she understood and was fully conscious of the connection between, in particular, people from rural Ireland and their land, but the court could not be used as an instrument of negotiation and Mr Curtin should be aware that the matter had fully run its course.

She expressed disappointment “to put it lightly” at Mr Curtin, during an earlier hearing, having instructed another barrister to apply for an insolvency protection certificate at Ennis Circuit Court at the same time as she was hearing his case in the High Court.

Michael Connolly, counsel for the bank, asked that his client be notified of any further attempt by Mr Curtin to obtain an insolvency protection certificate which had been refused by Ennis Circuit Court.

Judge Brett put the matter back to 11 September to allow Mr McConnell take further instructions and enter an affidavit for the court.