A businessman who was committed to prison by the High Court on Monday for contempt was freed yesterday. However, Mr Justice Kelly warned Mr Naseen Ahmad that if he did not address his problems in a more serious way, he would be spending a much longer period in jail.

Mr Ahmad, Old Clybaun Road, Galway, was committed to prison on Monday last for contempt arising from his failing to comply with an undertaking that he would be responsible personally in the event of any damages or costs awarded against a company with which he was associated, Fahd Foods, arising from earlier court proceedings.

In the earlier proceedings, a claim by Fahd Foods against another businessman, Mr Patrick Hynes, Beltra, Co Sligo, and Beltra Meats, Sligo, was dismissed by the High Court but a counterclaim against Fahd Foods was successful with an award for some €360,000 and costs. Lawyers for Mr Hynes are now trying to recover the award.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Kelly said he would discharge Monday's committal order to give Mr Ahmad an opportunity to get his Supreme Court appeal in the main case ready for hearing and to sell his 2003 Mercedes car to reduce his financial obligations. Mr Ahmad was also to place €106,000, which was coming to Fahd Foods from another party, on joint deposit with the solicitors in the present case.

The judge said he would adjourn the contempt proceedings for three weeks and if the steps outlined were taken he would consider a further adjournment to allow Mr Ahmad go to Pakistan to try to arrange getting funds from relatives there.

Earlier, Ms Jeri Ward, for Mr Ahmad, said her client was anxious to contact family members in Pakistan to help him out of his predicament.