Yacht firm director admits €380k Vat avoidance

The director of a yacht company yesterday admitted in court that he underdeclared €379,440 in Vat and asked for sentencing to be adjourned to give him time to sell his home to make restitution.

Hugh Mockler, of Windward, Fennell’s Bay, Myrtleville, Co Cork, was arraigned on the opening day of the county sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

He confirmed his written pleas of guilty to the crimes.

Defence barrister Eoin Clifford asked for sentencing to be adjourned.

“His family home in Crosshaven is being put up for sale. It is to be put on the market in March,” said Mr Clifford in an application for a lengthy adjournment of sentencing. “The higher courts have said that restitution is a critical factor [in sentencing of such cases]”.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “I have to have some control over it as well.”

Mr Clifford said there was a charge on a property that would have to be discharged by the defendant, but that this should still leave him with a substantial six-figure sum to repay.

Judge Ó Donnabháin adjourned sentencing until April 29.

“I would want a progress report on that date and it would want to be a realistic report rather than an auctioneer’s report, if you appreciate the difference,” said the judge.

Mockler pleaded guilty to 15 charges which indicated that the director of HM Yachts Ltd, did consent and connive to knowingly or wilfully declare to the office of the Revenue Commissioners an incorrect sum of Vat between May 2008 and September 2010.