More than 200 businesses were prosecuted in Dublin District Court yesterday for failing to make Companies Office returns. It was one of the first large batches of cases taken by the Registrar of Companies following the computerisation of the service.

Most of the companies, from all over Ireland, pleaded guilty to the offences which related to the years 1997 and 1998. Judge James McDonnell imposed fines of £250 (€317.43) for each year on firms which pleaded guilty and £750 on those for which there was no appearance.