A DUBLIN businessman who helped run the Ansbacher tax evasion scheme is among 120 tax defaulters who made settlements of €22.85 million to the Revenue Commissioners in the final three months of 2007. Simon Carswell, Finance Correspondent, reports.
Sam Field-Corbett, a business associate of the late Des Traynor, the architect of the Ansbacher scheme, paid €1.15 million, the third-largest settlement.
Mr Field-Corbett was closely involved in the tax evasion scheme and an Ansbacher client. His settlement included interest and penalties of €834,396.
Other defaulters included Co Offaly publican Christy Cowen, a brother of Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen. Revenue found during an audit of Christy Cowen's bar on River Street in Clara that he had under-declared on income tax and VAT. He made a settlement of €96,351, including interest and penalties of €34,956.
In a statement yesterday, the Tánaiste acknowledged the importance of pursuing tax defaulters. "Without a rigorous system, including appropriate sanctions, those of us who meet our obligations would be let down by the State," said Mr Cowen.
He said he had no involvement in his brother's business. "It would not be fair to him were any greater media attention paid to his Revenue difficulties on account of my position in Government. I know from him that he gave full co-operation during the Revenue audit and I understand that these matters have now been resolved."
He said it was a long-established practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment on the tax affairs of private individuals and he would not make any further comment.
Co Louth businessman Colm Kehoe, who owns a bar, restaurant and nightclub in Dundalk, made the largest settlement. Mr Kehoe, with an address at Walterstown, Knockbridge, Dundalk, paid €1.5 million.
Dublin landlord James Souhan, with an address at The Watercourse, Templeogue, Dublin, made the second-largest settlement, paying €1.4 million arising out of investigation on bogus non-resident accounts.