Kevin Rabbitte disqualified for 14 years and three months over VAT fraud

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

Kevin Rabbitte was disqualified for 14 years and three months by the High Court in a judgment delivered on 30 January 2020.

Rabbitte consented to a declaration that, while an officer of Westman Plant and Civils Limited, he knowingly participated in carrying on its business with intent to defraud creditors, including the Revenue Commissioners.

He also consented to an order making him personally responsible for €1.5 million of the company’s debts or other liabilities and agreed to disqualification for at least five years. His consent to the declaration was stated to be without prejudice to any defence he might have to further action by any party.

Mr Justice Brian O’Moore considered the fraud and the failure to keep proper company books and records. He identified 15 years as the appropriate disqualification before allowing a nine-month reduction, noting that the settlement had saved a three-day trial and the possibility of an appeal.

The order covers acting as a director or in other specified company roles, as well as involvement in the promotion, formation or management of a company or society. It was also agreed that the motion would be struck out with no order as to costs.