Stay of one year put on sale of family home of a bankrupt

Official Assignee issued two motions which were heard together in the bankruptcy of the bankrupt - first motion sought an order pursuant to s. 61 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988 seeking the sale of the family home - second motion sought an order that he not be discharged from bankruptcy until after an investigation - bankrupt was adjudicated bankrupt on the 4th July, 2016 - bankrupt has not cooperated in any way in the administration of his bankruptcy - wife of bankrupt was a notice party and represented herself - petitioning creditor bank obtained a judgment against the bankrupt on 4th March, 2013 in the sum of €1,296,114.47 and claims to be a creditor for in excess of €1.5 million - Official Assignee may not dispose of the family home of a bankrupt or of the bankrupt’s spouse without obtaining the prior sanction of the court to the disposition - court is asked to balance the interests of the creditors against the interests of the spouse and dependents of the bankrupt - consideration of Family Home Protection Act 1976, s.31 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act, 2009 and s.61 of the Bankruptcy Act, 1988 - order for sale made but stay put on sale for one year - clear case for making an order postponing the discharge from bankruptcy of the bankrupt - motion adjourned to February 2019 to allow Official Assignee to deliver affidavit updating the Court in relation to progress of bankruptcy.