Former FF fundraiser makes tax settlement of €108,906 with Revenue

Fianna Fáil’s fundraiser during the Ahern years, Des Richardson, has made a tax settlement, as has the company he used to bill the party for his services.

Mr Richardson’s €108,906 settlement appears on a list of tax defaulters published by the Revenue Commissioners yesterday.

The payment arose from the underdeclaration of income tax totalling €38,251. The rest of the settlement involved interest and penalties.

Mr Richardson, of Ballsbridge, Dublin, was a long-time supporter of Bertie Ahern.

He was a trustee of St Luke’s, Drumcondra, one of the organisers of the annual fundraising dinners for Mr Ahern’s constituency operation, and was also involved in raising funds for Mr Ahern personally.

In the early 1990s, after he was appointed party treasurer, Mr Ahern asked Mr Richardson to help reduce the party’s debt.

He billed the party for his services, using a company called Willdover Ltd. That company has made a tax settlement of €141,094 arising from the underdeclaration of VAT and PAYE/PRSI.

Two men involved in building former FF politician Ray Burke’s home and who the Flood tribunal heard made payments to him, were also on the list. Thomas F Brennan of Hillstown Stud, Clonsilla, Co Dublin and Joseph B McGowan of Mart Lane, Foxrock, Dublin 18 each settled for €400,000.