Fathers avoid jail after finding money for maintenance arrears

A father has narrowly avoided going through the gates of Limerick Prison for maintenance arrears after coming up with the money en route to the prison.

At the family law court in Ennis, Judge Patrick Durcan jailed the man for 14 days after he fell almost €10,000 behind in maintenance arrears for his child.

However, less than one hour after Judge Durcan authorised the warrant for the man’s committal to prison, the garda detailed to escort the man to Limerick jail returned to court to say that he had produced the €480 required for his release.