The High Court has refused to release a Co Offaly businessman who was jailed for contempt of court over his failure to hand over leased machinery worth €2m.
Donal Rigney of Gortacur, Mount Bolus, Tullamore, absconded after an order to commit him to prison was made on 23 August last.
Rigney handed himself into gardaí last week - a month after a High Court order to commit him to prison for contempt.
He was in court when the order was made but absconded to Dubai.
Finance company Lombard Limited sought his committal after he failed to hand over the machinery.
Lawyers for the company opposed his application to be released today, saying he was self-confessed perjurer who had absconded.
Counsel for Rigney said he had travelled to Dubai to arrange the return of the machinery.
Nuala Butler said his efforts to settle matters could not be done from a prison cell in Mountjoy and Lombard was being vindictive in seeking to keep him in jail.
She also said he was a father of four young children.
Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the case until Monday.
He refused to release him in the meantime saying the courts must be able to enforce their orders.
