A former Limerick City councillor has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment after he was convicted of 26 tax and social welfare charges.
Michael Kelly (47), of St Francis John House, Ballyneety, was before Limerick District Court charged with eight VAT and income-tax offences, seven summonses against his company, Crestwin Ltd, and 12 breaches of the Social Welfare Act.
The conviction followed a lengthy investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau. One charge of obstruction of a CAB investigation was struck out.
The court heard that Kelly had 37 previous convictions over a 10-year period which included assault, possession of a firearm and ammunition, larceny and burglary.
Defence counsel, Mr Brian McInerney, told the court Kelly had served as a councillor from 1999 to 2002 and had no criminal convictions since 1984.
"From alderman to tax evader is a huge public fall from grace and this is a penalty in itself," said Mr McInerney.
The court also heard that Kelly had previously attempted to broker a "peace deal" between feuding factions on the south side of Limerick city, was involved in efforts to steer young people away from crime and had served on the governing board of St John's Hospital in Limerick.
A character witness, Father Terry O'Connell of St Patrick's parish, told the court he knew of efforts Kelly had made to help up to 20 individuals financially "without seeking publicity".
Det Sgt Kevin Ring also confirmed that the CAB was involved in a number of other civil proceedings against Mr Kelly.
Judge Michael Reilly sentenced Kelly to eight months imprisonment and fined his company a total of €3,000. He also ordered Crestwin Ltd to pay witness expenses of €3,500.
Imposing sentence, Judge Reilly said Kelly had engaged in "a deliberate and sustained attempt to conceal his activities from the authorities and had shown a disregard for the law".
Kelly was released on his own bail of €1,000 and an independent surety of €15,000 pending an appeal.
He declined to comment as he left the court.