An East Clare builder is beginning a five year jail sentence for lodging fraudulent VAT claims with the Revenue Commissioners.
34 year old Derek Floyd of Lower Main Street, Tulla was convicted of knowingly filing incorrect VAT returns – in order to claim over 680-thousand euro from Revenue.
Derek Floyd was charged with 15 offences contrary to the Taxes Consolidation Act in that he knowingly or wilfully delivered incorrect VAT returns and 12 offences of knowingly claiming repayments of VAT without entitlement.
The total amount of repayments claimed was 683 thousand,138 euro
Mr Floyd pleaded not guilty on all counts but in March of this year a jury at Ennis Circuit Court found him guilty in respect of all 27 offences.
Passing a number of sentences in relation to all charges yesterday Judge Ray Fulham ordered that Derek Floyd serve a total of 5 years imprisonment.
The Revenue Commissioners published details of the case and the comments of Judge Fulham who noted that "revenue fraud is not a victimless crime".
