Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for former haulier who failed to pay over €136k in VAT
Summary
John Fitzsimons, 58, of Whitethorn Park, Palmerstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to failing to pay about €136,000 in VAT between May 2011 and May 2016 and to not filing VAT and income tax returns from 2001 to 2016. Revenue discovered that J Fitz Haulage Ltd, registered at Fitzsimons' home address, had ceased to exist in 1999 and that the VAT number on its invoices was void. Fitzsimons also operated under CGC Associates and M and G Haulage. A civil investigation notice was issued to him on 1 February 2016. After a district court warrant, Revenue found that over €800,000 had been paid into his personal bank account by Bunzl. Fitzsimons expressed remorse and claimed he did not know how to complete tax returns. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Fitzsimons' lack of prior convictions and his health, sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, describing the sentence as "extremely lenient".
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for former haulier who failed to pay over €136k in VAT. Charges or matters: remit VAT payments amounting to approximately €136,000 between May 2011 and May 2016, and failure to submit VAT and income tax return forms on various dates between 2001 and 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2016 Other
- February 1, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 26 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 12, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2001 and 2016 Other
- 2021-07-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: remit VAT payments amounting to approximately €136,000 between May 2011 and May 2016, and failure to submit VAT and income tax return forms on various dates between 2001 and 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Fitzsimons to two years imprisonment. "In my view, I'm being extremely lenient," he said.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.