Derry Brother Wants £20,000 illegal Poker Jackpot Back

A Derry man who admitted, along with his brother, organising an illegal poker night in 2009 has said he wants to get the £20,000 jackpot money back.

Paul Quinn from Amelia Court and his brother Terence from Clipper Quay were given conditional discharges at Londonderry Magistrates Court.

The jackpot will stay with police until a Proceeds of Crime application is finalised.

Paul Quinn said he wants the money to repay their punters.

The £20,000 was made up of players stakes built up in a kitty that increased over the months before the jackpot night. "We do not have the money," he said. "Some of the punters have been angry - they think we have got the money."

Mr Quinn also said he felt "vindicated" by the findings of district judge, Barney McElholm, on Wednesday, who said he accepted there was a lot of confusion at the time about the relevant legislation relating to such a poker jackpot.

Judge McElholm ordered the police to return equipment and almost £800 to the brothers, but also made the order that the stake money should stay with the police until a Proceeds of Crime application is finalised.