Tax evaders ‘getting off lightly’ in courts due to snobbery

RICH tax evaders attempting to rob the State of millions of euro are being given an easy ride in the courts due to “establishment prejudice” in their favour, the powerful Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned yesterday.

The stinging criticism came as TDs expressed alarm at the disproportionately light fines being handed down to well-heeled businessmen who systematically try to fleece the Revenue.

The committee said it was concerned over the "very small" number of prosecutions for serious tax evasion in 2003 there were just six.