Lap-dancing club manager in court over tax

A manager of a lapdancing club has appeared in Dublin District Court on tax offence charges

A manager of a lapdancing club has appeared in Dublin District Court on tax offence charges

Ms Mary Cullen (55), who was arrested yesterday as part of an investigation into the lapdancing industry, was ordered by the court to surrender her passport after being accused of not filing tax returns.

Ms Cullen is alleged to have transferred €140,000 to a bank account in Spain where she planned to set up a new business, a court heard.

Detective Garda Sergeant Thomas Matthews asked that her bail application be rejected amid fears she would flee there if released.

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She explained her reasons for moving: "I'm not able to trade here as there is a problem with my licence. I don't have a licence".

Her defence counsel said there was no evidence to suggest she would not turn up in court.

Ms Cullen was charged on two counts of failing to file tax returns, under the Tax Consolidation Act. She was remanded in custody with consent to bail provided she paid €50,000 and gave an independent surety of the same amount.

She was asked to surrender her passport and sign on twice daily at a Dublin Garda station. Judge Peter Smithwick set July 4th as the date for her to reappear at the same court.