Businessman 'won't budge' and prepared to remain in jail

A Monaghan businessman has informed the High Court he will not comply with orders to stay away from two properties in the county and is prepared to remain in custody at Mountjoy Prison. Fergal Deery, of Drumhillock, has spent nearly nine weeks in prison following his committal in early December by Mr Justice Senan Allen for contempt of court orders originally made in 2015. The orders, secured by Wardglade Limited which acquired the premises, then operating as a bar and nightclub, restrain Mr Deery from trespassing on or interfering with the properties located in Monaghan Town. Mr Deery, who denies breaching the orders, has disputed the sale as fraudulent and claims unlawful eviction from the premises in 2013. At a High Court review on Tuesday, Mr Deery appeared via video link from prison and reiterated his refusal to purge his contempt. Mr Justice Allen noted that Mr Deery could secure his release at any time by agreeing to comply with the court orders, but stated he must remain imprisoned until willing to do so.