The High Court yesterday rejected a challenge to a resolution passed at the annual general court of Bank of Ireland three years ago which is alleged to have materially affected the voting rights of a Dublin accountant as a holder of stock.

Mr Neal Duggan, Shrewsbury Road, Dublin, sought declarations that the purported passing of a resolution before the meeting of the annual general court on July 5th 1995, was null and void and that the resolution was defeated.

Bank of Ireland denied that the casting of proxy votes in the poll or the manner in which they were cast was without lawful authority as alleged or at all. The bank pleaded it had acted in accordance with its bye-laws.

Mr Justice McCracken in his judgment said he thought it unfortunate that the chairman tried to "cut corners" by only seeking votes against the resolution.

Mr Justice McCracken refused the orders sought by Mr Duggan.