Courts / Meath / Report

Retired publican who failed to file six-figure VAT return is jailed for 10 months

Summary

Patrick Murphy, aged 69, a retired publican and farmer, was sentenced to ten months in prison for failing to file a €107,048 VAT return after selling four apartments in Navan for €871,532 in 2007. The unpaid VAT, plus interest, amounted to €194,000. Murphy had used the money to invest in another property in Navan for €375,000. He pleaded guilty to the non‑remittance of the VAT. The court noted his previous convictions for non‑filing of income tax in 2005 and 2009, both of which were later filed. Judge Martin Nolan described Murphy as a hard‑working, blameless family man but stressed the seriousness of tax fraud. An 18‑month sentence was considered, but the judge imposed a 10‑month term, citing Murphy's age, medical conditions and mitigating factors. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Retired publican who failed to file six-figure VAT return is jailed for 10 months. Charges or matters: failing to remit VAT returns to the amount of €107,048 to the Collector General for the period of May to June 2007. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 2007 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 2011 Other
• November 2005 Other
• November 2009 Other
• 2015-05-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Fraud Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report