Non-payer of NPPR tax ‘must own half of Headford', says Judge

ONE of the first cases taken by a local authority for non-payment of the €200 non-residential property tax was brought before Judge Geoffrey Browne at the October sitting of Tuam Civil Court. Galway Co Council took the case against Gerry Kenny for non-payment of the tax on 12 properties he owns in the Headford area. [private] Most of the properties are apartments located at High Street and Main Street Headford,. Another property is located in Caherlistrane. 'This man must own half of Headford,' the Judge quipped after hearing the list of properties read out. A Co Council official told the Court that the defendant had paid the tax on his properties in 2009 but not since. The prosecution before Tuam Court related to tax due for 2010. Judge Browne was told the council is satisfied that none of the properties in question were Mr Kenny's primary residence. A representative from McDarby & Co solicitors told the Court that Kenny was not contesting the matter. Mr Kenny had contacted the council and told them he was not in a position to pay. The Court was told that Kenny owed €200 on each property but there was an additional fine of €20 for each month overdue. The council was asking for 20 months overdue to be taken into account by the Court in each case, bringing the total to €600 for each property. The Court made an award of €7,200 against the defendant plus €100 costs in each case. He was also ordered to pay any outlay costs arising.[/private]