Car dealer acquitted on one of eight counts

A car dealer charged with eight counts of evading tax on luxury cars has been acquitted on one count.

John Dunne (aged 39) of Monastery Park, Clondalkin, Dublin has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of evading vehicle registration tax on five high-spec Range Rovers and three top-end Audi vehicles between June 2, 2005 and September 20, 2007.

After deliberating for three hours the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the charge that on September 20, 2007, Mr Dunne was knowingly concerned in the evasion, whether by himself or by another acting on his behalf, of VRT in respect of an Audi Q7 3 Litre TDI Quattro S-Line 5 Door vehicle.

Judge Yvonne Murphy sent the jury home and asked them to return on Monday next to continue their deliberations.