One of the most promising ministers in 1994, Michael Lowry was Fine Gael’s great hope. A series of findings against him over the years continued with yesterday’s conviction. So how is he one of the richest TDs and still topping polls in Tipp, asks Michael Clifford

Independent TD Michael Lowry has been fined €15,000 for filing incorrect corporation tax returns and failing to keep a proper set of accounts

The prosecution case against Independent TD Michael Lowry was “deeply flawed” from the “get-go” and “jaundiced from the outset” the politician's barrister has told the jury.

The trial of Independent TD Michael Lowry has been told that the politician would like the jury to believe that it had been “a tragic series of unfortunate events” that has led to him being before the court.

Michael Lowry's political secretary has told a jury that in August 2002, the politician asked her to oversee a payment of Stg£250,000 to an individual for money owed on a property deal.

Independent TD Michael Lowry has had a charge of delivering an incorrect income tax return for 2002 dropped.

Update 5.50pm: The tax inspector in charge of the case against Independent TD Michael Lowry has accepted that he never met with the politician to discuss the investigation against him.

A woman who was in Independent TD Michael Lowry's home when Revenue officers raided it was “startled” and feared she was going to be killed by burglars, a jury has heard.

A jury has heard that revenue was at a loss of €5,541 when a company owned by Independent TD Michael Lowry received a payment in 2002 but only accounted for it in 2006.

A tax inspector said he carried out three assessments on Independent TD Michael Lowry and his company after it was discovered that a payment was accounted for in 2006 when it had actually been received four years earlier.

An accountant who audited the books of Michael Lowry's company in 2007 has told a jury that he was not aware of a letter requesting the inclusion of €372,000 into the previous year's accounts.

A corporation tax form submitted on behalf of Michael Lowry's business “didn't amount to a hill of beans” because it was unsigned, a jury has heard.

A former CEO of a Finnish refrigeration company has told a jury that his company had “an agency agreement” to pay commission to Michael Lowry's company for Irish sales.

A jury has been sworn in in the trial of Independent TD Michael Lowry on charges of alleged tax offences.

The Taoiseach has said Independent TDs Michael Lowry and Sean Canney have no written deals with the Government but do have access when needed.

Independent TD Michael Lowry, who represents Tipperary in the Dáil, has been named Ireland's richest politician with an estimated worth of €6.4m.

Only a small fraction of the local council budget for repairing local and regional roads has actually been spent this year.

An appeal brought by Michael Lowry over a decision of the Moriarty Tribunal to award him only one-third of his legal costs - which he says runs into millions - has been allowed by the Court of Appeal.

Calls have been made on Michael Lowry to step aside from an Oireachtas committee because of his perceived links to businessman Denis O’Brien.

Michael Lowry has dismissed Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s denial of a special understanding with the Independent TD and claimed he has a direct line to the Government.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has today insisted that there is no deal or arrangement for the support of Independent TD Michael Lowry.

Independent TD Michael Lowry has withdrawn an appeal against the High Court's refusal to stop his trial for tax offences.

Independent TD Michael Lowry will have to foot the legal bill for the four days of a High Court hearing in which he failed to stop his trial on mainly tax-related charges.

The High Court has dismissed Michael Lowry’s attempt to stop his trial for alleged tax offences from going ahead.

Lucinda Creighton's Renua Ireland has today published the most negative advert of the General Election campaign so far, which focuses on Fine Gael's links with Independent TD Michael Lowry.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out a deal with any independent TDs in order to secure power.

Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has said he believes recent court rulings in relation to the Moriarty Tribunal will not affect him on polling day.

Renua Ireland leader Lucinda Creighton has said it is appalling that the Taoiseach is even considering doing business with Michael Lowry.

TD Michael Lowry has decided to appeal a High Court judgement that the Moriarty Tribunal was right to only award him a third of his costs.

The Environment Minister, Alan Kelly, has again reiterated his position saying the Labour party will have nothing to do with Michael Lowry.

Brendan Howlin has said the Labour Party will not depend on Michael Lowry to prop up a Government.

The High Court has heard that "infamy or notoriety is not a basis for criminal immunity" and should not prevent the prosecution of Michael Lowry.

A High Court judge will decide if a company that lost out on a mobile phone licence in 1996 can sue Denis O'Brien, Michael Lowry and the Irish State using money from a British litigation funder.

A law concerning third-party funding of legal cases in Ireland comes from an era when people thought the earth was the centre of the universe, witches were burned at the stake and the rule of law paled in comparison to the rule of the sword, the High Court has heard.

Independent TD and former Government Minister Michael Lowry is due to be arraigned on July 31 for alleged tax offences pending the removal of a stay on criminal proceedings.

An attempt by former Fine Gael minister Michael Lowry to stop his trial on alleged tax offences is due to go before the High Court today.

A judge has thrown out a Revenue prosecution brought against a company owned by TD Michael Lowry because a court summons was served at an out-of-date address.

Independent TD Michael Lowry will be in Thurles district court this afternoon when he will be personally served with the Book of Evidence in relation to allegations that he knowingly filed incorrect tax returns.

Michael Lowry is facing three new charges of allegedly filing incorrect tax returns.

LAST November on this page I compared independent TD (and former Fine Gael minister) Michael Lowry to Mario Balotelli, the petulant bad-boy of European football who once pulled up his shirt to reveal a t-shirt bearing the legend “why always me?”

The leaking of details about a raid on the home of tax cheat Michael Lowry has been criticised by his solicitor, who said it is part of a 20-year campaign to damage the politician.

Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty has called on gardaí to investigate Michael Lowry after the broadcasting of a controversial recording in which he contradicts evidence he supplied to the Moriarty Tribunal.

Independent TD Michael Lowry has today lashed out at media and political commentary made in the wake of the Moriarty Tribunal report.