The developers who knocked down Carlton’s Corkman Irish Pub will argue in court that the $600,000 fine they received was too severe.

Raman Shaqiri and Stefce Kutlesovski pleaded guilty in the Sunshine Magistrates Court in September to unlawfully dumping asbestos, and other offences.

The Corkman pub in 2015. Credit:James Bowering

The criminal charges brought against them by the Environment Protection Authority saw them admit mishandling asbestos and other waste on their Carlton land and at another site they owned in Cairnlea, in Melbourne’s west.

In his sentencing, Magistrate Richard Pithouse admonished the men severely, telling them they were lucky to avoid jail.