Judge Patrick McMahon has told a Westmeath man living on effectively €100 per week that he can afford to pay €50 a week to ACC bank.
Brendan Daly of 1 Lynn Road, Mullingar told Mullingar District Court this week that he earns €1,763 per month and pays €760 per month on his mortgage and €560 on supporting his daughter.
He said he could not afford to pay anything to the bank which he had originally borrowed €15,700 from.
Of that amount, he has paid €14,100 back but, the court heard, there is a significant balance remaining.
Daly said this was as a result of legal fees, penalties, and interest imposed by the bank.
Speaking of his financial situation, he said he was “practically in negative equity before I purchase anything else”.
He works full-time with his brother who allows him use of a jeep and he used the sale of a house he built in 2002 to pay other creditors.
Daly said he could not afford to pay any money at all. ACC were aware of his financial circumstances five or six years ago, he told the court, but they would not come to any agreement regarding repayment.
He added that three years ago ACC wanted him to settle “every penny” of the loan in full but he did not have the money.
“You can afford €50 per week,” the judge said referring to his outgoings and lifestyle.
“I can’t,” replied Daly as the judge made the order.
