A FATHER and son detained in custody overnight for contempt of court orders relating to the operation of their concrete plant were freed by a High Court judge yesterday on condition that they obey the orders.
Patrick Slattery (69) and his son Declan (36), who operate a pre-cast concrete plant near Rathcormac village, Fermoy, Co Cork, had earlier apologised for the breaches of orders made in September and December last year.
Mr Justice Frank Clarke had on Monday made orders committing the defendants to jail for two weeks, but yesterday he sent them to custody overnight.
The judge said he would stay the balance of the term imposed on the basis of strict compliance by the defendants with the court orders. If there were any further breaches, the remaining period would be served together with whatever was considered the appropriate penalty for such breaches, he warned.
The orders restrict the times during which the defendants’ company may operate its fleet of trucks at the plant, and require the removal of about 11 unauthorised structures from the plant.
The orders relate to the operation of the concrete production site of Slattery Pre-Cast Concrete. A fine of €5,000 imposed on the defendants remained unpaid.
Cork County Council had alleged a planning permission in relation to the business had related to a much smaller enterprise, while local residents had also alleged nuisance due to an alleged significant extension of the scale of the business operation.