BARRISTER AND tax adviser Patrick Russell was arrested and brought before the High Court yesterday in connection with proceedings over alleged misappropriation of €580,000 given to him for purposes including clearing another man’s tax liabilities.
Patrick Griffin (66), a professional musician, of Knocksimon, Killucan, Co Westmeath, claims he made a voluntary disclosure to the Revenue Commissioners in early 2007 after which he employed Mr Russell, then of Emerald Consulting International (ECI), Patrick Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, to act as his tax consultant.
Mr Griffin, who is being pursued by the Revenue for €333,000, claims he had, on the advice of Mr Russell, transferred all his savings of about €580,000 in various payments to Mr Russell and/or ECI in 2007 and 2008.
He claims he understood Mr Russell had paid €243,560 to the Revenue out of that €580,000 under an agreed settlement of Mr Griffin’s tax liabilities.
He claims he later learned that sum was not paid and there were insufficient funds in accounts of Mr Russell or Emerald Consulting International to clear cheques sent by Mr Russell to the Revenue to clear Mr Griffin’s tax liabilities.
In January 2010, the Revenue secured judgment for €333,555 against Mr Griffin from the Master of the High Court. Mr Griffin has appealed that judgment order and is seeking to join Mr Russell to the proceedings.
On Monday, Mr Justice John Quirke made an order directing that Mr Russell be brought before the court. Mr Russell was arrested and appeared before the judge in the afternoon.
Mr Russell said he had received €580,000 from Mr Griffin. He agreed he had sent cheques to the Revenue to pay Mr Griffin’s tax liability but these were not honoured. He agreed with the judge that this was “an appalling state of affairs”.
Mr Russell asked the judge was he free to go and, when the judge said he was, he left the court.
