A businessman who defrauded the Revenue Commissioners of £89,000 by placing false stamps on property deeds has been jailed for three years. Brian Territt, who worked as an agent for solicitors' firms, used a photocopier to forge stamps and avoid paying stamp duty, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
Territt (50), of Foxfield Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty to forgery, uttering and fraudulent conversion on dates between 1992 and 1997.
Det Garda John Murphy told the court Territt used a property on Cabra Road to forge the stamps and another property for his regular business. He had been employed by solicitors to pay stamp duty for their clients.
The Revenue Commissioners normally stamped property deeds after the duty had been paid, but he forged the Revenue stamp and kept money given to him.
Mr Barry White SC, defending, said Territt's business partnership had been dissolved in 1983 and his property was burnt down in 1991. He became involved in forgery to keep his business solvent.
Retired Garda Supt Michael Curran said he had known Territt for 15 years through the St Vincent de Paul Society. Territt had been treasurer of a justice conference and there were never any financial irregularities.
Sentencing Territt, Judge Elizabeth Dunne said she took his guilty plea and charity work into account. She also noted that Territt's business owed £99,000 to the Revenue since 1983.