A Dublin builder has been hit with a €12,000 fine for failing to file tax returns for almost a decade.

Leo Finn (49) of Harbour Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges under the Taxes Consolidation Act.

Judge John O’Neill heard at Dublin District Court that the issue went back more than ten years and that he has not yet filed annual returns due from 2005 until 2013. Finn was prosecuted by the DPP following a Revenue investigation.

Judge O’Neill noted that this was the fourth time the case was before the court and the returns have still not been filed.

He said that if Finn had made an effort the prosecution would have struck out some of the charges but he added that the defendant has “not even set the wheels in motion”.

Finn told the court he was involved in the construction industry and that a large amount of documents were with his accountant but he has not been able to pay him. The building contractor, who has no prior convictions, apologised. Judge O’Neill told him that the matters went back years.

He proceeded to impose fines totalling €12,000 and directed Finn to file the returns for the outstanding years.