A COMPANY director has claimed before the High Court that he is being subjected to a campaign of harassment and intimidation over a disputed debt of more than €35,000.
Johnathan Goodwin and Goodwins (Lucan) Ltd, of which he is a director, have brought an action over alleged threats of violence and arson made against himself, his family and his property.
He claims, as a result of the alleged matters, he has placed permanent security outside his home. Mr Goodwin, Courtown Bridge. Co Kildare, has brought the case against Francis Rice, Newtown, Dunboyne, Co Meath.
Mr Goodwin claims Mr Rice has engaged the services of debt collection agencies including an agency run by Martin “The Viper” Foley, who has criminal convictions, as part of efforts to be paid money Mr Rice claims he is owed. Mr Goodwin disputes that claim.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted various interim orders against Mr Rice restraining harassment of Mr Goodwin and his family, trespass on Mr Goodwin’s property, and contact with Mr Goodwin or members of his family. The court also prohibited Mr Rice or his agents watching or besetting Mr Goodwin’s property. The orders were granted on an ex-parte basis (one party only represented) and returned to today.
Earlier, seeking the order, counsel for Mr Goodwin said a man calling himself Troy Jordan of Viper Debt Recovery Repossession Services Ltd demanded of Mr Goodwin in 2009 that he pay €35,000.
Mr Rice claimed he was owed money arising from a cheque paid to the firm Goodwins Timber Engineering Ltd by another company in 2008, counsel said. Mr Goodwin was a director of that company, which went into liquidation.
In an affidavit, Mr Goodwin said he told the debt collection agency any issue of an alleged debt should be raised with the liquidator of Goodwin Timber Engineering Ltd, not him. He heard nothing about the claim until last August when a man called to his place of work and demanded payment of money owed to Mr Rice.