‘Mind-boggling difficulties’ predicted over court fines

Mind-boggling difficulties were predicted by a judge yesterday for the abolition from Monday of prison sentences being a default for non-payment of court fines.

Judge Leo Malone imposed a €300 fine on a man for engaging in threatening behaviour and then, for the last time, said the accused would have to serve 15 days in prison in default of payment of the fine in five months.

“That is the last day of default imprisonment,” Judge Malone said at Cork District Court.