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Mayo County Council says it withdrew household charges case because Revenue is now dealing with it
Council denies legal precedent set by Household Charge withdrawal
Anton McNulty
MAYO County Council has stressed that it withdrew charges against a Westport man for the non-payment of the household charge only because the Revenue Commissioners are dealing with collecting unpaid fees.
Last Thursday, a legal representative for Mayo County Council informed Westport District Court that they were withdrawing summonses against Peter Anthony Keegan for non-payment of the Household Charge.
The matter was raised by Independent councillor Frank Durcan at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Mayo County Council who said he received correspondence on the matter. He asked if it was true the charges were withdrawn and claimed the media has been ‘muzzled’ by the lack of coverage over it.
Peter Duggan, the Finance Officer with Mayo County Council said they were advised by their legal advisers to withdraw the case because the Household Charge was now a matter for the Revenue to collect as part of the Property Tax. He said any arrears is now a matter for the Revenue to pursue and that was the basis for withdrawing the case.
First prosecution
Mr Keegan of Belclare, Westport was the first person in the state to be prosecuted for the non-payment of the Household Charge in November 2012 when summonses were issued in relation to six units located at Crannog House, The Quay, Westport.
Mr Keegan contested the charges and a challenge against the controversial household charge was brought before the High Court in 2013. The challenge was struck out by the High Court but appealed to the Supreme Court.
Cllr Durcan claimed that Mr Keegan was successful in his case against the Council but this was refuted by Peter Hynes, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council.
“It is now a matter for the Revenue and they are dealing with it. There was no precedent from this, it is a matter for consideration before the Supreme Court who will make a judgement on it, not Facebook or anyone else,” he said.
Mr Hynes also refuted claims the matter was ‘stymied’ in any way, saying the matter was heard in open court.
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