An accountant jailed for three years after being convicted of drug related offences had a fine of £10,000 quashed yesterday when he told the Court of Criminal Appeal he did not have the means to pay it.
The court decided to quash the £10,000 imposed because of the appellant's change of circumstances.
Francis Shortt (62) of Clar, Redcastle, Co Donegal, is married with three children. He was convicted in March, 1995, on 13 counts in relation to the possession of illegal drugs.
His counsel, Mr Brendan Grogan SC, told the court that a public house owned by his client had been destroyed by fire and the premises were uninsured.