Former TD settles bill over undeclared tax

Former Fianna Fáil TD Denis Foley has paid more than half a million euro to the Revenue Commissioners after underdeclaring income tax, it was revealed today.

Mr Foley, from Tralee in Co Kerry, paid €186,646 in tax and €393,354 in interest and penalties in relation to an Ansbacher account, the Revenue Commissioners defaulters list showed.

The ex-Kerry North TD’s €580,000 payment was one of 182 settlements in the last three months of 2004 which totalled €32.25m.

Mr Foley, a former member of the Public Accounts Committee, resigned from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in 2000 after it was revealed he was an Ansbacher account holder.

Dublin car sales agents Murphy and Gunn Holdings topped the latest list with a settlement of more than €5.23 for having underpaid VAT and PRSI and in relation to a bogus non-resident account.

Finbarr Cogan, a publican from Carrigaline, Co Cork, made a settlement of more than €1.7m for not having fully paid tax, VAT and PRSI and in relation to a bogus non-resident account in his name.

George Lyons, a retired doctor from Tralee, also had a non-resident account and had to pay more than €1.25m to the Revenue Commissioners.

Labour Party Finance Spokesperson Joan Burton said the latest list showed how deep the culture of tax evasion had become in Ireland.

Ms Burton asked whether any prosecutions would be brought against those for whom paying tax “was considered an optional extra”.

“For example will any prosecution be brought against the three individuals who settled with Revenue for sums in excess of €1m each?

“These cases should be contrasted with those who defraud social welfare for much more modest sums and are rightly prosecuted through our courts system,” she said.

“Today’s figures once again confirm the scandal of tax evasion by some very wealthy people in our society.

“Their tax evasion denied vital services for health and education for which we are continuing to suffer the consequences,” she added.