Eamonn Donnellan wins case over €1.5m Greek tax demand

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Eamonn Donnellan won his High Court challenge to a €1.5m Greek tax penalty demand on 3 May 2018. The declaration means Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners cannot enforce the demand, which followed his acquittal in Greece on cigarette-smuggling charges.

The demand arose from a Greek tax decision made in 2009, which Mr Donnellan said he was not properly notified of or given an opportunity to contest. Revenue consented to the declaration after an ECJ ruling clarified that a member state could refuse to enforce a fine that had not been properly notified. The judge also awarded Mr Donnellan his legal costs.