A Cork man from whom the Criminal Assets Bureau is claiming more than £3 million for alleged unpaid taxes and interest, and who has had assets of £1.65 million frozen by High Court order, yesterday failed in an attempt to vary the freezing order so he might buy a new car for £24,500.
Instead, Mr Patrick McSweeney, of Fairwinds, Waterfall Road, Bishopstown, Cork, was told by Mr Justice O'Sullivan he could have £5,000 released towards the cost of repairs to his 11-year- old car. Mr McSweeney, an electrician, said he had not worked at that trade since 1992 but had lived off the interest on £300,000 which he had invested. In April last, the CAB told the High Court it was seeking orders against him for more than £3 million in taxes and interest in respect of the tax years 1991/92 to 1995/96.
Mr Justice O'Sullivan also allowed the freezing order to be varied to permit the payment of house insurance, VHI, an accountant's bill and fees involved in the restoration of Mr McSweeney's company, Falcon, to the register.