Publicans, builders and restaurateurs make peace with the Revenue

A Co Wexford publican and builder has made a £300,000 (€380,920) tax settlement with the Revenue, according to the latest edition of Iris Oifigi·l.

Mr Sean Doyle of Kilmuckridge, Gorey, was one of 73 individuals and firms whose settlements in the July-September period exceeded £10,000. His building firm, Construction Services, paid £117,933 in tax and £104,824 in interest and penalties.

His pub business, Sean Doyle Entertainments, paid £39,904 in tax and £37,875 in interest and penalties. The company has three outlets: the Hydro and Boggin's in Kilmuckridge and McD's in Gorey. When contacted yesterday, Mr Doyle said he was satisfied all his affairs were in order. He blamed the default on his acceptance of "advice". "It's settled now. It's behind me and I'm moving forward. It's part of business. It's a lesson in life."

The 73 settlements were worth £4.06 million, including £737,790 recovered from six defaulters linked to the Clerical Medical International investment bond scheme at National Irish Bank.

Separately, £156,225 was paid by 200 individuals in fines and penalties imposed by the courts in the July-September period for failure to lodge income tax returns. Defaulters who settled with the Revenue included the Brooks Thomas group of timber goods suppliers, the High Skills Pool recruitment agency, and a south Dublin photographer, Mr Dominic Lee, who paid £198,138.

Brooks Thomas, based on the Naas Road in west Dublin, paid a settlement of £115,930. Brooks Group, of the same address, paid a £19,050 settlement.

The High Skills Pool, whose careers exhibition at the RDS in Dublin concluded yesterday, paid a £20,209 after an under-declaration of VAT. The defaulters list also included farmers, publicans, restaurateurs and contractors.

The largest settlement in the NIB investigation was made by the estate of the late Mr James Gilmore of Carrinshingo, Kingscourt, Co Cavan. The payment comprised £132,212 in undeclared income tax from investments and farming and £179,208 in interest and penalties. An NIB settlement was also made by Mr Peter Hughes, a turkey dealer from Ashford, Co Wicklow, who paid £125,000.

Such settlements also included a £106,000 payment by Mr Thomas Anderson, a company director and farmer of Cornamon, Kingscourt, Co Cavan. A Co Roscommon draper, Mr Patrick J McDermott-Roe, paid £94,268 after the NIB investigation and a Co Westmeath company director, Mr Gerry Hickey, paid £80,108. Mr Hickey is based in Ballinea, Mullingar.

A Co Galway company director, Mr RΘamonn ╙ Donnchadha, paid a £20,993 settlement after the NIB investigation. A Co Meath farmer and cattle dealer, Mr Hugh Carolan, made a £227,654 settlement after a Revenue audit. Others who settled after audits included Hartgrove, a Carlow property development firm, which paid £169,779, and Mr Brendan Kealy, a Co Mayo publican in Westport, who paid £108,226. Two Co Clare company directors also made payments of £110,000 after audits. They were Mr Kevin O'Brien of Doolin, and Mr William H O'Brien of Kilfenora.