A car dealer has been jailed for four years after he failed to pay more than €220,000 in VAT on second-hand vehicles.
John Hughes (55), with a previous address at Cuala Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, but now living in Nice, France, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He has since paid the tax of €226,718 that was due on 119 cars.
Judge Martin Nolan said sometimes tax evaders thought they could buy themselves out of trouble. “I don’t think that is appropriate or fair to the other people in the country who mostly pay their tax,” he continued.
“He must pay for it as a matter of punishment and deterrence for other people considering going down this road,” the judge added, before sentencing Hughes to four years in prison.