Irishman wins case against Greek revenue demand for €1.5m

An Irish truck driver from County Roscommon has successfully challenged a €1.5 million tax penalty demand issued by Greek authorities through the Irish Revenue Commissioners. Eamonn Donnellan, of Culkeen, Cloonfad, was informed of the demand in November 2014, more than a decade after his conviction for smuggling cigarettes in Greece was overturned on appeal. The High Court declared that Revenue is not entitled to enforce the Greek request for recovery. Mr Justice Tony O'Connor referred the matter to the European Court of Justice in 2015, which subsequently ruled that EU member states are not obliged to pursue such demands when the original penalty was not properly communicated to the person concerned. Revenue, initially opposed to Mr Donnellan's application, consented to the declaration following the ECJ's judgment. The court awarded Mr Donnellan his legal costs against Revenue.