A former businessman and agricultural contractor for whom "everything went wrong" was fined £5,000 at Carrigaline Court, Co Cork, yesterday for failing to make income tax returns.
Robert Teap, Maple Rise, Passage West, had been in financial difficulties since 1991, had his house repossessed three years ago and had a relationship fall apart, the court was told on his behalf.
Seven others were also fined by Judge Michael Pattwell for failing to make income tax returns. They were: Hugh McIvoy, Kilnagleary, Carrigaline, fined £3,000; Denis O'Donovan, Castle Farm Monkstown, Co Cork (£2,000); Charles McCarthy, The Elms, Bridgemount, Carrigaline (£2,000); Daniel Thomas, Windy Ridge, Raffeen, Co Cork, (£1,750); Alexander White, Ard na Ri, Monkstown (£1,250); Finbarr McCarthy, Ballyvolane, Nohoval, Co Cork (£1,000); Thomas O'Leary, Ballea Road, Carrigaline (£1,000).