Lowry took out second mortgage to settle tax

DEPUTY Michael Lowry disclosed yesterday how he took out a second mortgage on his Co Tipperary home to meet a €1,434,324 tax bill due to the Revenue Commissioners.

His refrigeration company, Garuda Ltd, paid €1.26 million, while Mr Lowry's personal bill ran to €173,000 under settlement proposals yet to be approved formally, the Moriarty Tribunal heard yesterday.

The tax payments arose mainly from monies paid by Dunnes Stores and by businessman Ben Dunne, both to Mr Lowry and his company, for refrigeration services to the supermarket group. The payments came to light at the McCracken Tribunal in 1997.