Conviction was 'miscarriage of justice'

The Court of Criminal Appeal heard the case

Police in the Republic of Ireland "suppressed evidence" which could have prevented a Donegal nightclub owner from going to jail, a court has heard.

Frank Shortt - who served three years in jail before his conviction was quashed - claimed there was a conspiracy by Irish Police to convict him for allowing his club to be used for selling drugs.

The father-of-five served a three-year prison sentence after being convicted in 1995 on 13 counts of knowingly allowing the sale of drugs at the Point Inn nightclub in Inishowen in 1992.

But the conviction was overturned in November 2000, with no opposition from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On Wednesday, the Republic of Ireland's Court of Criminal Appeal said a miscarriage of justice had occurred with his conviction.

The court ruled that gardai had suppressed evidence and that one police officer had told his estranged wife that he had committed perjury in the case.

'Justice'

But the court also found that another woman - who had claimed that she had helped gardai plant bomb-making material, which was then found to improve promotion prospects - was not wholly reliable.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Shortt, a qualified accountant, said: "How do I feel? Absolutely wonderful. It is good to know that justice is still alive and kicking in this country."

A spokesman for the gardai said they were studying the ruling.

A tribunal established by the Irish Government and announced in February, is investigating Mr Shortt's case.

The main thrust of the Tribunal of Inquiry is into allegations of misconduct by some members of the police in County Donegal.

The tribunal will be headed by a senior judge - former High Court President Mr Justice Frederick Morris.