Cork City FC - Own goal for the taxman?

OVER the last while we’ve got used to thinking in billions.

A bailout here, a rescue package there, it all adds up very quickly. Before you know it you’re like a distressed developer or banker owing more than would sustain a fleet of good sized yachts, a very decent string of racehorses and maybe even a Premier League team.

In that context the prospect of Cork City being wound up because of a tax bill of less than €500,000 seems disproportionate if not downright tragic.

The club, in the High Court yesterday, offered to pay €120,000 to the Revenue and asked to be allowed pay the balance of the debt over the next year. It must be assumed that this commitment was made in good faith. What a pity the taxman was not able to show the kind of generosity of spirit that sustains so many sporting ventures across this country and accept the proposal.

If it is to be wound up, and that cannot be certain until Friday, then the sense of community and participation that would be lost could not be replaced by multiples of the sums involved.

The Revenue are obliged to do their job but sometimes it seems the greater good is sacrificed when it need not be.