The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has asked the High Court for a declaration that a Dublin man is liable for more than £1.77 million in outstanding taxes over a 10-year period.
The bureau also wants an order for the payment of £1,778,343 by Mr Sean Hunt, described as a businessman, of Ramillies Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin.
This consists of £1,296,859 in income tax and £481,484 in VAT for the years 1988-89 to 1997-98. The CAB also wants a declaration that Mr Hunt is the beneficial owner of eight accounts with the TSB, Irish Permanent, Bank of Ireland and AIB in Dublin.
These accounts are said to be in the name of Ms Rosaleen Hunt, Mr Hunt's wife, also known as Jean Hunt and Jean Maher, with others in both Hunt names. The CAB also wants an order that a £68,000 life insurance investment policy in the names of both Hunts is beneficially owned by Mr Hunt.
The CAB proceedings are being heard in tandem with proceedings taken by Mr Hunt. He contends that an anonymous Revenue official seeking orders against him through the CAB should be identified and sent to jail for contempt of court for allegedly defying a High Court order of July 29th, 1999. That order varied a freezing order on the Hunts' assets so that their legal expenses, business expenses and costs could be paid.
Mr Hunt denies he or his wife had the alleged income, or any substantial income for the periods alleged. He claims the CAB had prevented him from submitting a valid appeal against the Revenue assessment.
Ms Rosaleen Hunt claims the CAB has no authority to sue her, and all the property in joint names and her name is hers.
Opening the CAB case yesterday, Mr Hugh O'Neill SC said the CAB had information that Mr Hunt had been selling tobacco and fireworks. He paid taxes as an employee up to 1982. His wife had got social welfare before a back-to-work scheme in the mid-1990s.
It was estimated more than £3 million had passed through bank accounts held by the Hunts in the 1988-98 period, counsel said.
Mr Hunt was a substantial business person who variously described himself as a general merchandiser, or wholesale trader or retail trader, Mr O'Neill said. Ms Hunt had a bird-seed business, but a former accountant to the business told the Revenue he believed Mr Hunt was the owner. Ms Hunt also had a street trader's licence for Henry Street in Dublin.
The hearing resumes before Mr Justice Smyth today.