A son of a former government minister, jailed for six years for having cannabis resin worth about £300,000, was freed on bail by the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday.
Vincent Donegan (34), of Monasterboice, Co Louth, son of the former Fine Gael minister for defence, Mr Paddy Donegan, was convicted at Dundalk Circuit Court on January 10th last year on charges of having cannabis, and having the drug for supply, at Monasterboice on May 28th, 1995.
He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment.
His application for leave to appeal conviction and sentence was listed for hearing at the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday.
But Mr Fergal Foley, for the DPP, applied for an adjournment, saying the appeal date had been fixed on May 27th and the parties were requested to make submissions.
He said the appellant had lodged a submission last Wednesday containing matters which would have to be replied to. He was seeking an adjournment.
Mr Michael O'Higgins, for Donegan, said he would consent to the adjournment but was also applying to have his client released on bail pending the hearing.
He had a bailsperson, a sister of Donegan, in court, counsel said. The DPP did not oppose the application.
Mr Justice O'Flaherty, presiding, fixed bail on Donegan's own surety of £1,000 and his sister's surety of £5,000. Donegan also agreed to sign on weekly at Drogheda Garda station. The matter was adjourned to October 12th.