Courts / Dublin / Report
Foxrock businessman gets suspended sentence for falsely reclaiming VAT
Summary
Patrick Chambers, a 65‑year‑old Dubliner from Foxrock, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of claiming VAT refunds he was not entitled to between July 2009 and March 2010, and to producing an incorrect VAT invoice in July 2012. The fraud cost the exchequer €35,780. Chambers had taken a loan of over one million euros to develop a second property on the grounds of his family home, but the collapse of the property market in 2008 left him in "dire financial circumstances." He claimed the loan was to cover costs after his divorce and to repay debts. Judge Melanie Greally found the offence driven by financial desperation, not opportunism, and sentenced Chambers to 12 months in prison, suspended in full on the condition that he pay €7,000 per year to Revenue for five years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Foxrock businessman gets suspended sentence for falsely reclaiming VAT. Charges or matters: four counts of claiming repayment of Value Added Tax (VAT) to which he was not entitled on dates between July 2009 and March 2010 and to producing an incorrect invoice in connection with VAT in July 2012. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2009 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-07-21 Publication
Why: Chambers was fully co-operative and told the investigation he had committed the offences because he was desperate for money as he was in "dire financial circumstances. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: four counts of claiming repayment of Value Added Tax (VAT) to which he was not entitled on dates between July 2009 and March 2010 and to producing an incorrect invoice in connection with VAT in July 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced Chambers to 12 months in prison which she suspended in full on condition that he pay €7,000 per year for five years to Revenue. Judge Greally noted that a report from the Probation Service deemed Chambers suitable for community service and ordered that he carry out 240 hours community work in 12 months.; Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court had adjourned the case last April having heard evidence and ordered that Chamber's suitability for community service be assessed.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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