Car dealer avoids second term of imprisonment for contempt

A SECOND period of imprisonment for contempt has been further deferred against a car dealer after a judge heard he has substantially complied with court orders requiring him to fully co-operate with Revenue efforts to execute a €4.75 million judgment over unpaid taxes.

The Revenue last July obtained summary judgment orders for €4.97 million against John Kane and €5.27 million against his brother, Pauraig Kane, over unpaid taxes in connection with their SUV business in Granard, Co Longford. The Revenue also obtained orders freezing their accounts below €10 million, and directing them to fully disclose their assets.

John Kane, also known as Alex Kane, of Granard, told Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday that he had no money, it was a year since he had received a wage, his bank accounts were frozen and at a “minus” level, and he was hoping the Revenue would allow him to be employed by Kanes of Granard to sell vehicles.

Mr Kane, representing himself, said he had done his best to provide all the material sought by the Revenue, and would attend for questioning by Revenue solicitors. He had assisted the receiver and had sold vehicles, earning between €200,000 to €300,000 for the receiver without receiving a euro in return.

Mr Kane told the judge he could only make money by trading, and added: “Suppose I sold you a vehicle . . .” at which point the judge interjected: “I can assure you, Mr Kane, I will never buy a vehicle from you.”

Mr Kane smiled and replied: “You never know.”

Earlier, Anthony Collins SC, for the Revenue, said it had received a considerable amount of documents from Mr Kane. It could not say it was beyond reasonable doubt that he had not complied, and it was not seeking to have him jailed for contempt, but it wished to question him soon about material supplied.