A Co Meath businessman was fined a total of £10,500 for making incorrect returns of VAT and Corporation Tax over an 11 year period by Judge John Brophy at Dunshaughlin Court yesterday. The Revenue Commissioners had issued 18 summonses against Mr Brendan McNamee (44) of Beechdale, Dunboyne, and 18 summonses against his company Brendan McNamee Ltd, 8 Dunboyne Industrial Park, Dunboyne, for making the incorrect returns. Mr McNamee admitted the offences.

A solicitor for the Revenue Commissioners said that because of the systematic tax fraud over 11 years, the Commissioners were seeking the full fine of £1,000 for each offence with no mitigation.

Judge John Brophy said a total fine of £36,000 would be "a bit excessive" in the circumstances. He fined Mr McNamee a total of £10,500 and gave him six months to pay that sum.