The High Court has deferred until the end of next month its decision on what compensation is to be paid to Co Donegal nightclub owner Frank Shortt following his wrongful conviction on a charge of allowing his nightclub in Inishowen to be used for the sale of drugs.
Mr Shortt, his wife Sally and members of their family and extended family, as well as lawyers and members of the media, were in Court number six yesterday when it was expected that judgment on the application for compensation would be delivered by the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan. However, he said it would be towards the end of next month before he could give his judgment. He had hoped to complete it in recent weeks but was unable to do so. He said the case was the "first of this nature" and raised significant legal issues regarding the assessment of damages. There were two issues upon which he might require counsel to address him.
Mr Justice Finnegan told Mr Shortt that he was sorry he had brought him to court from Co Donegal and he also apologised to the media for not making it known previously that he would not be giving his judgment yesterday.
The claim for compensation by Mr Shortt followed his wrongful conviction and three-year jail sentence on charges of allowing the sale of drugs at his Point Inn premises at Inishowen, Co Donegal. He served 27 months in prison and was released in May 1997.
Afterwards, the Court of Criminal Appeal certified that he was a victim of a miscarriage of justice. Mr Shortt then took High Court proceedings for compensation. That action started last October and lasted for several days before judgment was reserved.