Tycoon from North with terror links jailed in US

A businessman from the North who built up a multi-million dollar empire in the US after lying about his past terrorist links was jailed today.

Sean O’Neill was sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax fraud, possession of an illegal firearm silencer and three counts of immigration fraud.

It is likely that he will be deported back to the North after he has served his time.

The 49-year-old was convicted in 1977 of being a member of Fianna na h’Éireann - a banned organisation with links to the IRA – but kept his criminal past secret so he could obtain a green card.

The deceit allowed him to build a new and highly successful life in Philadelphia.

But his past caught up with him in 2006 when police raided his house after his 17-year-old son accidentally shot dead a friend during an underage drinking party.

They uncovered evidence that O’Neill had lied to authorities so he could stay in the US. They also discovered he possessed an illegal gun silencer and had committed tax fraud.

In April, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors that saw him admit five counts relating to the offences.

In a sentencing memo, prosecutors argued that O’Neill lived in the US illegally for many years and amassed a fortune of $13m (€8.66m) that enabled him to buy 17 properties, a personal helicopter and a number of top range sports cars.

Originally from Co Tyrone, his past conviction and fraudulent immigration status went unnoticed until 2006, when, while he and wife Eileen were away, his son Sean Jr threw a party.

A drunken shooting game resulted in the accidental death of one of his friends. A subsequent police raid on the house uncovered his father’s web of lies.

While awaiting his trial, another of O’Neill’s children got in trouble with the law. His daughter Roisin, (aged 23), was charged with drink driving after an incident in which a 63-year-old grandmother was killed.

She pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced in November.

O’Neill’s lawyers portray their client as a loving father and a philanthropic community member.

They claimed that banishment to Northern Ireland would be a sufficient penalty.

But prosecutors argued that O’Neill displays a “disregard for the laws of this country and an arrogance about his entitlement to be exempt from those laws”.

In a sentencing memo, they claimed: “He built his life here in the United States on a series of critical lies, and his pattern of lying continued throughout his life.”

“The defendant entered into sham marriage in order to obtain his green card and also lied about his numerous prior arrests, claiming he had never been arrested before.”

Prosecutors added: “He has amassed a fortune here, possessing assets over $13m, yet for many years he has failed to pay his fair share of taxes in the country which allowed him this opportunity to succeed.

“The defendant, who has wealth beyond the wildest dreams of most people, did not pay his fair share, and in so doing, caused others to likewise cheat.”

Following sentencing, O’Neill was ordered to report to prison on January 5.

In addition to the prison term, District Judge William Yohn ordered the millionaire to pay $392,593 (€261,760) in back tax, a fine of $60,000 (€40,008) and a $500 (€333.40) special assessment fee.

He now faces deportation proceedings in immigration court.