Ray Burke appears in court

Former Justice Minister Ray Burke appeared in a Dublin court today charged with lodging a false tax claim.

Burke, of Griffith Downs, Drumcondra, was charged under Section 9 of the Waiver of Certain Tax and Interest Penalties Act, 1993.

The offence is alleged to have taken place on or before December 15, 1993 when Burke had allegedly knowingly or wilfully delivered an incorrect tax return or tax returns.

He appeared before Dublin’s District Court after surrendering to police at Bridewell Garda Station.

When charged, under caution, Burke pleaded not guilty.

He was given bail to appear before in court agains on January 19.

Burke was served with a €2m tax bill by the Criminal Assets Bureau two weeks ago.

A 14-month probe found the disgraced politician failed to pay tax on his earnings.

Burke also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs in Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s government during a 20-year parliamentary career.

The demand for unpaid taxes was served on Mr Burke at his north Dublin home last month, and he may now be forced to sell off his extensive property portfolio to settle the bill.

The interim report of the Flood Tribunal into planning corruption last year found Burke, 59, received corrupt payments of almost IR£200,000 during his time in public office.

It said he received payments from builders, developers and the backers of Century radio.

The tribunal found the man nicknamed Rambo for his robust business and political dealings helped developers gain planning permission across north Dublin.

The CAB has been investigating Mr Burke since last September and officers raided his home shortly after the interim report was published that month.

During a glittering political career, Mr Burke served as minister for the environment, energy, communications, commerce and industry, justice and foreign affairs.

Opposition parties called into question the judgment of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who appointed Mr Burke as a government minister in 1997, in the wake of the disclosures.

Mr Ahern installed Mr Burke as Foreign Minister despite the serious doubts which existed about his business activities, and stood by his colleague until his final resignation from the cabinet.

However, as a central figure under investigation during the first five years of the Flood tribunal, Mr Burke was heavily criticised in last year’s interim report.

It linked the former Fianna Fáil minister to a series of corrupt payments and accused him of hindering and obstructing the tribunal’s work.

Now retired from politics, Mr Burke passes his time watching cricket and visiting friends in his old stomping ground of Swords, north Dublin.

The Criminal Assets Bureau was established to identify the assets, wherever situated, of persons which derive or are suspected to derive directly or indirectly from criminal activity.