Need legal Advice for loan not being repaid?

spoodzrgood

Hi all, I'm posting on behalf of my friend who is still learning English. My grasp of the law here in Ireland is very poor as well! I'm using made up names to make this easier to type:

My friend 'Tom' had a friend called 'Dave' a few years ago. About 2 years ago, Dave told Tom that he was desperate, saying that he owed child maintenance and needed a car. Tom (maybe quite foolishly) lent 6000euro to Dave to help him get back on his feet. At the time, Dave had a full time job, working in Dublin, renting, but owns a house in Wicklow. Dave threatened suicide to Tom, saying that he needed just a bit of money for x, y, z, or he would kill himself.

Tom had in writing (via messenger/ whatsapp etc) that this was indeed a loan, and that he expected some payments back. After a few months of repeatedly asking for some payments back, Dave blocked Tom on all social media and left Dublin.

Recently, Tom hired a solicitor to serve a court summons to Dave at the home address he had in Wicklow. His mother answered the door and said that Dave doesn't live there and they haven't spoken in 2 years (obvious lie), so the solicitor has said that now there is nothing more they can do.

I know that my friend was very foolish to lend money to this guy, but do you know how we can prove the home address of Dave, even though he has immediate family living at his home address of the home that he owns, but apparently that is not enough evidence?

My friend is having a tough time with that solicitor - he has spent a lot of money with them over several years but nothing has been done. They keep asking for information (names, phone numbers, addresses, etc) that already has been given to them by my friend and then charging him a fee for same (his English is not so good, so I think they just see him as a cash cow...)

Does anyone know a solicitor in Dublin who specialises in these small claims of lending money?
Is this even a case that is worth pursuing in small claims?
How can we prove the address of Dave when his mother lies about his whereabouts? (the solicitor mentioned a private investigator but that could be costly - is there anything i can do for example, instead of spending even more money on a P.I.?)

Information that I was able to find out on social media myself:
- facebook profile of the mother of Dave's child (ex)
- name and location of local football team that Dave plays for frequently
- town that Dave frequents often with friends at pub - same town where his mother lives - same town where football team plays (likely same town where he lives)

If I am lucky enough to find Dave, is it possible for me to hand him a summons myself? Like at the start of the movie Pineapple Express : "you've been served!"

Thank you for taking the time to read. I know this all sounds very silly, but my friend is a very good person, maybe a bit naive and they were taken advantage of by this guy who kept asking for money.

Mr. Incognito

"Tom" needs a better solicitor. One who speaks English.

"Tom" would however be better off and learning that for €6,000 he has learnt a life lesson.

Not to loan friends money.

spoodzrgood

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

"Tom" needs a better solicitor. One who speaks English.

"Tom" would however be better off and learning that for €6,000 he has learnt a life lesson.

Not to loan friends money.

Absolutely I agree! I never lend friends money - I've been burned before for little lends here and there myself of a few quid.

Regarding solicitor, Tom's solicitor does indeed speak English but they are just taking him for a ride, I can see it myself!

nuac

Mod
There are a range of options available to a creditor in cases where personal service is being evaded. Any solicitor could advise,
Against forum rules to give legal advice here. Closed