Evading tax on cigarettes

A LOUTH woman has been given a suspended sentence in lieu of a fine for evading tax on cigarettes and tobacco products which she said were for her family.

Roseleen Mary Hayden, 49, of Moneymore, Drogheda, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to evading tax on 18,740 cigarettes worth €7,808 at Dublin Airport on October 3, 2010.

Ronan Munro BL, defending, said Hayden had three children and was living on a deserted wives’ allowance.

Judge Tony Hunt said he was not going to impose a fine and gave her a two-year sentence suspended for five years.