A former director of Cavan Crystal accused of making false tax returns while working for the company was returned for trial to the Circuit Court yesterday. It is one of the first prosecutions under the Finance Act referred to the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations by the Revenue Commissioners.

Mr Brian Williams (48), of Inchicore Road, Dublin, signed guilty pleas in Dublin District Court yesterday to 16 charges of making false tax returns and one of fraudulent trading.

The charges relate to PAYE, PRSI and VAT returns at Cavan Crystal between 1992 and 1994. The defendant was remanded on bail to appear before the present sitting of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.