A bankruptcy action brought against Bill Cullen by Danske Bank has been criticised as "typical bullying tactics" against a customer suffering from serious illness, a spokesman for the former Apprentice host said.
Mr Cullen was issued with a bankruptcy petition which was heard briefly before the High Court this week before being adjourned.
It relates to an outstanding debt of €8.2 million owed to Danske Bank, which has been pursuing its repayment since 2012.
Mr Cullen was not believed to have been in court for the hearing and is understood to be receiving treatment for a serious illness.
In response to the proceedings, a spokesman for the businessman told The Irish Times: "This is typical bullying tactics of Danske Bank using their dominant position to abuse a customer who is suffering from a serious illness, the nature of which they have been made fully aware.
“Mr Cullen will be taking all legal steps to protect his position.”
Danske Bank declined to comment.
Osberstown House
In the High Court in 2014, Mr Cullen opposed Danske's demand he sell his house to satisfy an €8.2 million judgment obtained against him in 2012. Danske had applied for a court order for the sale of Osberstown House in Naas, Co Kildare.
At that time the court heard Mr Cullen's wife, Rita Cullen, and his partner of 35 years, Jackie Lavin, were both opposing the application to force the sale.
In its claim, Danske said a judgment registered in November 2012 against Mr Cullen for €8.21 million, arising out of debts for unpaid loans, remained unpaid.
Mr Cullen was opposing the order for sale on grounds including that the bank has made inadequate efforts to ameliorate his debt through the proper marketing of two properties over which a receiver had been appointed. Danske denied those claims.
