Courts / Tipperary / Report

State ask Lowry jury if they're "prepared to swallow this brick sideways"

Summary

In the trial of Independent TD Michael Lowry, the State alleges that his company, Garuda Ltd, received €372,000 in commission from Norpe OY in August 2002, which was routed to a third party in the Isle of Man and omitted from the 2002 accounts. The prosecution claims the accounts were falsified in 2007 to record the payment as received in 2006. Remy Farrell SC urged the jury to view the series of alleged mis‑reporting as a "tragic series of unfortunate events" and suggested that Lowry deliberately concealed the transaction to avoid corporation tax and to protect the company from insolvency. Patrick Treacy SC defended Lowry, noting that a charge of an incorrect income tax return was dropped and that the case centred on alleged misfiling of an invoice rather than fraud. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with a jury of eleven.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: State ask Lowry jury if they're "prepared to swallow this brick sideways". Procedural stage: trial

When:

• August 2002 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
• 28 August Hearing Or Sentence
• August 3, 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-06-21 Publication

Why: Counsel referred to a 2007 letter, which is an exhibit in the case, and said this was when the "real misfortunate event occurs" because this letter talks about an invoice issued by Garuda that doesn't exist. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report