Courts / Dublin / Report
Maths "genius" who failed to pay over €100,000 in taxes avoids jail
Summary
David Cagney, 49, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eleven counts of failing to remit €108,767 in VAT to the Collector General between 2003 and 2009, along with other tax offences such as not filing income tax returns and providing incorrect information. He had prior convictions in 2008 for failing to file returns for 2004 and 2005, and in 2012 for 2008 and 2009 returns. Witnesses, including his ex‑wife and a friend, testified that his crimes were not motivated by greed but by an inability to manage mundane matters, citing his ADHD, depression, and alcohol issues. Judge Martin Nolan, citing Cagney's "very unusual character," suspended a two‑year prison term on the condition he keep the peace for that period. The court noted no evidence of a lavish lifestyle or offshore concealment of funds. Cagney's work as a self‑employed computer consultant involved invoicing clients with VAT, which he failed to remit to Revenue.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Maths "genius" who failed to pay over €100,000 in taxes avoids jail. Charges or matters: eleven counts of failing to remit Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Collector General over a seven year period from 2003 to 2009; failing to file returns for 2008 and 2009. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- July 2008 Other
- February 2012 Other
- April 1999 Other
- 2003 to 2009 Other
- 2004 and 2005 Other
- 2008 and 2009 Other
- 2015-07-16 Publication
Why: Judge Martin Nolan said he could believe that the real reason for Cagney's crimes were his "very unusual character" and not greed. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: eleven counts of failing to remit Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Collector General over a seven year period from 2003 to 2009; failing to file returns for 2008 and 2009 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Evora Park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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