A businessman who owes €400,000 to the Revenue Commissioners because he failed to make tax returns for three years will be sentenced in March 2006 by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
John Peters (56) of Culmore Road, Palmerstown, pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to make returns for three of the tax years between 1995 and 2001.
A Criminal Assets Bureau officer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told Benedict O Floinn, prosecuting, that Mr Peters admitted during interview that he knew he was required to file returns but failed to do so.
Roderick O'Hanlon SC, defending, told Judge Desmond Hogan that his client had reached an agreement with the authorities to pay €400,000 on or before December 1st, 2005. This figure included all money owed plus interest. Judge Hogan heard that Peters, a married man with four children, had failed to comply with previous agreements of a similar nature.
Mr Peters is a self-employed business man who provides large machinery to the construction industry. Mr O'Hanlon said his business had suffered due to publicity surrounding court appearances in respect of these charges.
Mr O'Hanlon said Mr Peters would be in a position to pay a large proportion of the money within the next week and intended to raise a remaining €15,000 before the due date.
Judge Hogan remanded Mr Peters on continuing bail and said it would be in his own best interests that all outstanding money be paid within the time of the agreement.
