A MOTOR dealer jailed last year for contempt of court orders secured by the Revenue, over millions of euro in unpaid taxes, has appealed to a judge not to send him back to prison over failing to co-operate with the Revenue.
John Kane, a sports utility vehicle dealer, had promised to co- operate in order to end his week-long stay in prison imposed last December at the Commercial Court by Mr Justice Peter Kelly.
The judge yesterday warned Mr Kane he would again be jailed, for a longer period, unless he made payments to the Revenue by Friday and honoured other undertakings.
The committal order followed summary judgment orders for a total of €10 million secured by the Revenue last year over unpaid taxes against Mr Kane and his brother Pauraig over their operation of what the judge called a “cross-Border car racket” in Granard, Co Longford. It was the first application of its type brought by the Revenue.
Anthony M Collins SC, for the Revenue, told the judge there had been “a complete failure” by Mr Kane to comply with orders to co- operate with the Revenue.
Because Pauraig Kane had made some efforts by agreeing to pay €49,000 by next Friday and had also agreed to attend for cross-examination by the Revenue’s lawyers by the end of the month, Mr Collins said the matter against him could be adjourned.
However, John (also known as Alex) Kane had failed to provide any information or to pay €24,000, which he had undertaken to pay last December, Mr Collins said.
The Revenue had learned John Kane had a number of properties in Granard, Edgeworthstown and Co Meath while there was also an issue over John and Pauraig’s interest in a showroom in Granard operated by another brother, Mr Collins said.
John Kane told the judge he was discharging his solicitor but wanted time to get everything in order. He said he needed two weeks to allow certain documents to be provided to the Revenue, he would have €24,000 with the Revenue by this Friday and he would attend to answer any questions.
Mr Justice Kelly said he was satisfied John Kane was in contempt and should be sent to prison. However, given his undertakings to comply now, he put a stay on the committal order for 14 days.