Luigi Felloni, one of three members of a Dublin family serving sentences for drug-related offences, is to have certain monies returned to him following an order of the High Court yesterday.
The cash was retained by the governor of Mountjoy Prison and relates to an award in respect of a road accident.
Under a 1996 court order, the Fellonis' assets have been frozen. The family, led by their father, Anthony Felloni, of Lower Dominick Street, Dublin, have been challenging the order. Mr Justice Shanley was told a cheque for £2,078 was given to Luigi Felloni arising out of a road accident claim.
Felloni said the cheque was cashed for him and he had given his sister £300. He had also borrowed £300 as it took 10 days for the bank to clear the cheque.
Mr Justice Shanley said he would make an order that the governor release the remainder of the money because it was not covered by the 1996 freezing order. That order related to property the Fellonis received in connection with drug trafficking.