Accounting Technicians Ireland:Accounting Technicians Ireland has welcomed the jail sentences handed down by the courts in recent months for cases of tax evasion.

Speaking at the professional body’s fellowship graduation event, vice-president Eithne O’Sullivan said it was vital to Ireland’s future economic health that a strong signal was sent out to tax evaders that their crime will be punished.

“Every cent collected over the coming years will be needed to help us reduce our current deficit.

“That is why it is to be welcomed that a number of lengthy sentences have been handed down in recent months to people convicted of tax evasion.”

Ms O’Sullivan also welcomed the “high levels” of media coverage of cases such as the six-year sentence imposed on a grocer who failed to pay €1.6 million in import duties, after labelling more than 1,000 tonnes of Chinese garlic as apples, which attract a much lower rate of tax .

“These sentences have helped to send a clear signal that non-payment of legitimate taxes is a very serious matter with serious consequences for the Irish State, its citizens and equally for those convicted of tax evasion,” she said.

Some 55 custodial sentences were imposed last year for tax evasion, 21 of which were not suspended, according to the annual report of the Revenue Commissioners published in April.

In the first four months of 2012, a further 15 custodial sentences were handed down, with 10 people going to jail.