SPAIN'S SUPREME court has rejected an appeal by Irishman Dermot McArdle against his conviction for killing his wife.
A panel of judges threw out the father of two's attempt to clear his name - and ordered him to pay potentially crippling court costs.
Kelly-Anne Corcoran (29) died two days after falling from a room in Marbella's five-star Melia Don Pepe Hotel on February 11th, 2000, following an argument with her husband.
McArdle (40) from Haggardstown, Dundalk, Co Louth, was found guilty of her manslaughter on October 7th, 2008, and sentenced to two years.
He had an earlier appeal at a lower regional court thrown out.
Yesterday the three judges of the supreme court also upheld his sentence.
Hector Gonzalez, representing Ms Corcoran's family, said: "All the family have ever sought is justice and so this is good news for them. All of the standard channels of appeal are now closed."
McArdle could still appeal to Spain's constitutional court or to the European courts.
His sentence is expected to be suspended by the original trial judge, Fernando Gonzalez, as first-time offenders in Spain are usually spared prison for sentences of two years or less.
McArdle will also have to pay €220,000 in compensation to his wife's family, as well as €100,000 to her parents Ted and Bridie, and €60,000 each to sons Mark (12) and Paul (10).
McArdle's lawyer made no comment.