Former FF TD faces landmark ‘ethics’ prosecution

IN a landmark prosecution under new ethics legislation, a former Fianna Fáil TD yesterday denied misleading Revenue to obtain a certificate to satisfy the Standards in Public Office Commission that he was tax compliant.

The State is claiming that Michael Collins, after being elected to the Dáil in May 2002, obtained a tax clearance certificate by making a false declaration.

It was claimed at Limerick Circuit Court that Mr Collins, now 66, concealed tax liabilities amounting to €130,602.