Courts / Dublin / Report

Truck driver jailed for failing to pay tax for six years

Date
2019-07-23
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Alan Keogh, a 42‑year‑old self‑employed truck driver from Tallaght, was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to 11 counts of failing to file VAT and income tax returns between 2010 and 2016. He had initially complied with tax obligations, registering for VAT in 2004 and filing returns until 2008, but cancelled his registration in 2009 claiming his business was no longer viable. Despite this, he continued to receive payments from GLS, a parcel delivery company, and subcontracted work to other drivers, with payments made to an AIB account in his name. Revenue officials found him liable for €375,732, and investigations revealed he had not maintained proper bookkeeping or declared subcontractor payments. Keogh had no prior convictions and was described by his employer as a hard worker. The judge accepted that he had complied fully with the tax code and would have been entitled to tax relief, but deemed a 16‑month sentence appropriate.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Truck driver jailed for failing to pay tax for six years. Charges or matters: a total of 88 counts of failure to deliver VAT and income tax returns; 11 sample counts covering dates between January 2010 to October 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Counsel said that because Keogh never declared his payments to subcontractors, or submitted his own expenses, that his actual debt to Revenue needed to be revised to take these into account. CNI source report

Case subjects

Alan Keogh

Accused

Charges: a total of 88 counts of failure to deliver VAT and income tax returns; 11 sample counts covering dates between January 2010 to October 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said he accepted the submission that had Keogh complied fully with the tax code, he would have been entitled to a lot of tax relief.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request