An accountant appeared in court yesterday on 27 tax charges related to the suppression of income and bank accounts.

Mr Michael McKenna, of McKenna and Co, Ontario Terrace, Rathmines, Dublin, is pleading guilty to the charges which arose out of his business activities between 1992 and 1999.

Dublin District Court heard yesterday a book of evidence had been prepared for the case to go forward to the Circuit Court but the DPP had agreed to allow the case to be dealt with in the District Court, where penalties are more limited, on condition that the accused pleaded guilty.

Yesterday, his solicitor, Mr Darragh Robinson, said he would be pleading guilty but was looking for an adjournment to get his affairs in order. Counsel for the State said there was no objection as the accused was an accountant and there would be serious professional implications for him. It involved the suppression of income and bank accounts and would be treated as a "major case". Judge Catherine Murphy adjourned the case to April 17th for a guilty plea to be heard.

Eighteen of the charges against Mr McKenna allege that he delivered incorrect VAT returns, failed to pay the appropriate amount of VAT and failed to maintain proper records on six different periods between November 1992 and October 1997.

A case against an insurance company charged with failing to keep proper books of accounting was adjourned yesterday to May 21st next. Merrion Reinsurance Ltd, Clanwilliam Terrace, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin, is pleading not guilty to failing to keep proper accounts between June 1998 and June 1999, Dublin District Court was told.

It is alleged the company's auditor found difficulties in identifying opening balances, investments held, associate and subsidiary companies, fixed assets and relevant shareholdings when carrying out an audit.