Solicitor Paddy Madigan was yesterday fined £1,000 for failing to make tax returns. Madigan, a former member of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council, was among 11 people fined for similar offences at Dublin District Court. He pleaded guilty to failing to make returns for four years at his practice in Raglan Road, Balls bridge.

A lawyer representing Madigan told the court there had been "a long-running dispute" between him and his accountant to have his tax sorted out. It had now been worked out, his full tax liability had been discharged and he apologised to the court.

Judge Tim Crowley noted that Madigan had been before him earlier this year when he was cleared of failing to notify the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs that he had a new employee in his practice.

Yesterday, Judge Crowley imposed a fine of £1,000 for each year but recommended that this be reduced to £250 per year, a total penalty of £1,000.

A second solicitor, George McGrath, Clanwilliam Terrace, Dublin, was also fined £250 for failing to make a return for one year.

Others fined for the same offence were: Chinese takeaway operator John Cho Ying Wong, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6 (£6,000 fine for six years); haulier Eamonn Kavanagh, Shancastle Drive, Clondalkin (£6,000 fine for six years); landlady Una Barrett, Killiney Hill Park, Co. Dublin (£6,000 for six years); landlord Paul Carty, Robinhood Industrial Estate, Clondalkin (£1,500 for six years); haulier Vincent Fegan, Drumnigh, Portmarnock (£250 for one year); agricultural services contractor Derek Flynn, Nags Head, The Naul, Co Dublin (£750 for three years); painter Liam Galligan, Kilcross Avenue, Sandyford (£500 for two years); commission agent David O'Flaherty, Tara Cove, Balbriggan (£1,500 for six years); video production operator Aindreas Wyckam, Glendale Meadows, Leixlip (£750 for three years).