Two Longford men are due to face contempt of court charges early next year over their failure to repay a court-ordered fine.
William Stokes and his father Patrick Stokes of Willow Park, Longford will appear before Judge Keenan Johnson in February to face a contempt of court hearing over a breach of a court order earlier this year.
The fines date back to an incident last May and court proceedings connected to a marquee wedding reception in Longford town that contravened Covid health restrictions.
Presiding over Longford Circuit Court in May, Judge Keenan Johnson ordered that William Stokes, his father Patrick Stokes, along with Stephen Kelly, Farneyhoogan, Longford and a local restaurant pay €3,000 euro each to 3 local charities.
While the caterer of the wedding paid their fine in full and Stephen Kelly has made substantial payments towards the fine, William and Patrick Stokes have not made any significant effort to pay the fines according to the Judge.
Bench warrants were issued for the two men at the start of proceedings this week, when they were found not to be in attendance at Longford Court House, but were lifted when William Stokes arrived later in the morning.
Judge Keenan Johnson stated that the 'facts are confirmed, an apology was given and an undertaken was made to pay the fine.'
Judge Johnson dismissed claims from the defendant that his family did not have the means to pay the fine.
He stated to William Stokes that the matter will be decided by a full hearing, and if convicted, he will go to jail.
The hearing will take place on February 3rd.]
