ONE-time property developer Peter Curistan says he is "looking forward to putting my evidence before the court" as a £100 million damages claim he is taking against the former Anglo Irish Bank moves towards a possible trial next year.
Curistan, who just weeks ago was handed a boardroom ban for his running of the Odyssey entertainment complex and associated businesses, is suing the bank - now known as the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation - for alleged fraud.
He developed the Odyssey Pavilion before losing control of it to Anglo, but has continued with a series of legal actions involving the bank.
As well as claiming fraud, Curistan's writ alleges breach of duty and negligence over the process to find a buyer for his long-term lease in the venue.
The businessman is suing in a personal capacity after previous litigation was brought in the name of Sheridan Millennium, a company he ran before it went into administration in 2011.
Papers lodged in the renewed case against Anglo focus on claims around how the bank identified one of its clients as a potential purchaser for the leases in around 2008-09.
It is alleged that the management of the process amounted to a "shadow directorship".
Other, better placed potential purchasers were ignored, according to claims against the bank.
Outside court, Curistan said he was delighted the latest action is moving towards trial.
"This will be a very complex case and will involve a significant claim for damages - I will be seeking in the region of £100 million," he confirmed.
With his writ first issued six years ago, the developer added: "It's been a long road to get to this stage, and there's been many diversions from administration of my companies to my bankruptcy and lately director's disqualification.
"If the trial had gone ahead in a timely manner then those events, in my view, would not have happened and I'm looking forward to getting the evidence before the court."
