Car dealer fined €25k for breach of court orders

A Co Longford car dealer has been fined €25,000 by the High Court for breaching court orders made in favour of the Revenue. Mr Justice Sean Ryan declined to activate a suspended prison sentence against Pauraig Kane, formerly associated with Kane Motors in Granard, but found he had deliberately contravened undertakings previously given to the court, albeit to a limited extent. The judge determined that a monetary penalty was more appropriate than imprisonment given mitigating circumstances. Kane owes the Revenue €5.2 million in unpaid taxes. The case forms part of longstanding disputes between Revenue and businesses operating at the Granard premises. The court was satisfied Kane failed to comply with conditions requiring the sale of properties and clearing of vehicles from the yard, though the judge accepted certain explanations for non-compliance and noted the car business is transitioning away from the location.