The Court of Criminal Appeal has declared a miscarriage of justice in the case of Donegal nightclub owner, Frank Shortt.
The court found that two garda witnesses in the case, Detective Garda Noel McMahon and Superintendent Kevin Lennon, had consciously and deliberately invented evidence and concealed that fact.
Mr Shortt, who is from Donegal, had challenged his 1995 conviction in relation to drugs at his nightclub, claiming it was a miscarriage of justice.
In the course of his evidence, Detective Garda Noel McMahon denied asking a woman to plant drugs in a Donegal nightclub or planting drugs there himself.
Detective Garda McMahon has been at the centre of allegations from both his estranged wife, Sheena McMahon, and another Donegal woman, Adrienne McGlinchey.
Both women gave evidence during the hearing.
Mr Shortt’s conviction for knowingly allowing drugs to be sold at his nightclub, the Point Inn in Innisowen, was quashed two years ago without opposition from the DPP.
The Minster for Justice, Michael Mc Dowell, says he is clearly concerned about the judgement and its implications. However, he said he cannot comment further until he has had a chance to study, in full, what is a lengthy judgement.
Garda Headquarters says it is studying today's judgement.
Supt John Farrelly said a tribunal has been set up to deal with all allegations of Garda impropriety in Donegal, and that the force is co-operating fully with it.
He also said the Garda Síochana has always accepted decisions of the courts.
