Courts / Dublin / Report
On-the-run tax fraudster arrested while travelling during lockdown
Summary
Martin Stokes of Woodford Heights, Clondalkin, was arrested during the Covid‑19 lockdown after failing to appear for a sentence hearing in 2016 for tax fraud offences under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act. He had pleaded guilty in April 2016 to charges relating to tax registration on dates in 2006, 2008 and 2011. The court had adjourned the case for a week when his lawyers claimed he was an employed father of three, but he did not appear a week later, leading the judge to issue a bench warrant. The warrant was executed last Monday, and Judge Melanie Greally refused bail, remanding Stokes into custody for sentencing. His defence lawyer, Keith Spencer BL, argued that Stokes could not attend court because he was in a 14‑day quarantine imposed by the Prison Service, and that a video‑link meeting had been booked but not attended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: On-the-run tax fraudster arrested while travelling during lockdown. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 2016 Incident
- June 3, 2016 Adjournment
- April 30 Adjournment
- 2008 and 2011 Other
- 2020-04-23 Publication
Why: Keith Spencer BL, defending, told the court that his client could not be brought to court because he is being held in quarantine for 14 days. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Stokes failed to appear for a sentence hearing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on June 3, 2016. Judge Melanie Greally refused bail and remanded Stokes into custody for sentence today.; The case was adjourned for a week when his lawyers told the court he was an employed father of three.
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