Former Revenue official blames IRA for alleged scam

A former Revenue official accused of tax fraud claimed that the Provisional IRA were behind the alleged scam when he was charged, a court heard today.

A former Revenue official accused of tax fraud claimed that the Provisional IRA were behind the alleged scam when he was charged, a court heard today.

Gerard Giffney (aged 51), who had been originally from Tynan Hall Grove, in Tallaght, Dublin, appeared in court this morning after he was extradited from the UK.

Mr Giffney, who had worked as a Revenue official in the 1990s, faced 22 charges relating to the defrauding of €112,000 from the Revenue Commissioners on dates in 2003, in Tallaght.

The charges include deception and attempted deception contrary to the Theft and Fraud Offences Act as well as counts under the Taxes Consolidation Act for aiding and abetting the submission of incorrect tax returns.

Sergeant Michael McKenna of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation told Judge Denis McLoughlin that Mr Giffney had been arrested at Dublin Airport at 6.15pm yesterday.

His arrest was on foot of 22 warrants issued earlier and he was then brought to Ballymun garda station, Dublin District Court was told.

Gda Sgt McKenna said Mr Giffney initially had nothing to say after caution but gave a reply after the final charge was read to him.

The court heard that Mr Giffney stated: “I wish to now place on record the fact that this scam was set up, co-ordinated and run by members of the Provisional IRA based in south Armagh.”

“And it is these people who have issued a £10,000 (€12,125) contract to have me killed,” Mr Giffney also told Gda Sgt McKenna in his reply.

Mr Giffney, who was wearing a grey jumper, dark blue jeans, runners and a light blue check shirt, did not address the court during the brief hearing.

Gda Sgt McKenna also told the court that the DPP has directed that Mr Giffney would face trial on indictment.

However, the sergeant added that he has not yet had an opportunity to consult with the DPP's office to find out how long it will take to complete the book of evidence in the case.

Defence solicitor Richard Young said a bail application was not being made and he furnished the judge with a statement of Mr Giffney's means.

Legal aid was granted and he was remanded in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on April 17 next.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

DUP Hold Crunch Meeting To Decide On Return To Stormont Jeffrey Donaldson steps down as DUP leader amid ‘historical’ sex offence charges
Berlin UKB Hospital Is Among Germany's Most Modern Nearly 10,000 people left waiting on trolleys across country in March
Spring weather Mar 28th 2024 Here's what to expect from weather and travel this Easter weekend
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited