Cleaning company director admits tax offences

A DIRECTOR of a cleaning company in Cork pleaded guilty yesterday to sample charges on a 76-count indictment of making incorrect tax returns.

Barry McDonald, of McDonald Cleaning Services Ltd, Unit 9 Rockgrove Industrial Estate, Little Island, Co Cork, was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to 23 counts.

The tax offences cover a period from 2000 to 2007.

Judge Patrick J Moran agreed to an application by Tom Power, defending, to adjourn sentencing until July 1.

“My application is for sentencing to be put back to allow Mr McDonald time to put his affairs in order.

“There are ongoing discussions with the Revenue Commissioners and it would very much accommodate my client,” Mr Power said.

Donal McCarthy, prosecuting, said there was no prosecution objection to the case being adjourned for that purpose.

“Any outstanding resolution of the financial affairs would have a bearing on sentencing,” Mr McCarthy said.

No details of the background to the case will be given until the matter comes up for sentencing.

Of the 23 counts, 10 of them were against McDonald Cleaning Services Ltd, on behalf of whom Barry McDonald pleaded guilty.

They were for incorrect VAT returns, VAT repayment claims and corporation tax returns and one was for failing to keep records.

The same 10 charges were brought against McDonald, of Factory Hill, Kilcoolishal, Glanmire, Co Cork, personally, with three additional counts against him for incorrect income tax returns.