RETIRED solicitor Brian O'Donnell and his wife Dr Mary Patricia are personally liable for the legal cost of their failed bid to have their bankruptcy annulled, the High Court ruled.

It means the costs cannot be drawn from the assets of their bankrupt estate but they themselves will have to bear the bill for their application which Bank of Ireland (BOI) opposed. Mr O'Donnell represented himself and his wife during the annulment application.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Brian and Mary Pat O'Donnell depart their Gorse Hill mansion. (Photo: David Conachy) Panto villians: Brian O'Donnell and his wife Mary Patricia O'Donnell, who are facing eviction from their home Brian and Mary Pat O'Donnell Dr Mary Patricia O Donnell leaving the Four Courts yesterday after a High Court hearing. Photo: Courts Collins Collins Blaise O'Donnell / Facebook

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Whatsapp Brian and Mary Pat O'Donnell depart their Gorse Hill mansion. (Photo: David Conachy)

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Last month, Ms Justice Caroline Costello found the O'Donnells had not advanced any new evidence as a basis for an annulment of the 2013 bankruptcy obtained against them by BOI which is owed €71.5m.

Far from there being compelling reasons to annul the bankruptcy, "no grounds had been advanced" by the O'Donnells which led her to the conclusion that they ought not have been adjudicated bankrupt, she said.

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The costs issue and related orders were back before Ms Justice Costello Thursday (May 14) when there was no appearance by or on behalf of the O'Donnells.

The judge said she would have to deal with these matters and after hearing submissions from Mark Sanfey SC, for BOI, that the bankrupt estate should not have to bear the costs of the failed annulment application, she agreed the O'Donnells should be made personally liable.

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Mr Sanfey said if the costs were to be charged against the bankrupt estate, it "would be a charter for bankrupts to make vexatious applications knowing they would not get costs orders against them".

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