A journalist was fined £1,500 yesterday for failing to make tax returns for six years. Mr Barry McCall, self-employed, of Sandyford Hall Lawn, Kilgobbin Road, Dublin, was summonsed by the Revenue Commissioners for failing to make returns in time over six consecutive years up to 1995.
Mr McCall, a married man with a six-year-old son, told Dublin District Court his affairs had been in a "bad financial mess" and he still had debts.
A solicitor for the Revenue Commissioners, Ms Mairead Duffy, said none of the offences could be taken into consideration and fines had to be levied for each offence. Judge Brian Neilan said the maximum fines of £1,000 could only be mitigated by law to £250 for each offence but he gave the defendant five months to pay a total of £1,500.
The judge said Mr McCall could ask the Revenue Commissioners for more time at the end of that period if he was in financial difficulties.
Self-employed people must submit tax statements by January 31st following the end of the tax year on the previous March 31st and are liable to be summonsed if returns are completed after that date.
A man whose company made the harp emblem used above Judge Neilan's bench was also fined £1,500 for failing to make returns.
Mr Niall Murray, a sales representative, of Boden Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin, said he now worked for a sign company and had believed a company he worked for previously made his tax returns for him.
Mr Murray, who said he had debts of £20,000, was fined £1,500 for failing to make returns for six years up to 1995.
Other defendants, some of whose cases had been adjourned, received fines varying from £250 to £1,000 when they failed to appear.
Mr Thomas Halpin, of Casimir Avenue, Harold's Cross, was fined £5,000 for not making returns over five years until 1995, and Mr Brian Doyle, of Howth Terrace, Howth, was fined £4,000 for four years up to 1995.
Mr William O'Toole, of Glenmaroon Road, Palmerstown, was fined £4,000 for four years up to 1995, and Mr Kevin Cleary of Church Road, Malahide, was fined £2,000 for two years up to 1995.
Mr Brendan J. Grogan, of Ormond Road, Rathmines, Dublin, was fined £1,000 for one year up to 1994.