Two Laois residents on tax defaulters list

TWO Laois residents are named in the latest national list of tax defaulters, which was published by the Revenue Commissioners on 16 June.

One local was fined for illegally selling tobacco, while another received a fine for illegal use of green diesel.

The Revenue list for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2026 includes people who failed to declare income tax returns and VAT, as well as those involved in the smuggling or illegal sale of tobacco, sale of alcohol without a liquor licence and offences such as possession of unregistered vehicles.

Edward Conroy, The Heath, Ballydavis, Portlaoise was fined €5,000 for illegally selling tobacco, according to the Revenue list. Employed in the construction industry, he was one of only five people nationwide penalised for illegal tobacco sales in the first three months of this year.

A further 14 people nationally are listed for tobacco smuggling during the same period, with penalties ranging from a €2,500 fine to a suspended jail sentence or community service.

Meanwhile, Lorraine Delaney of 9 Sean Doire, Durrow, Laois was fined €2,500 for misuse of marked mineral oil, commonly known as green diesel for use in agriculture.

Listed as a PAYE employee, Ms Delaney was one of 15 people fined for misuse of green diesel nationally, of whom 12 were fined €2,500, two were fined €3,000 and one received 80 hours’ community service in lieu of four months in prison.

None of those penalised for use of green diesel had occupations recorded as 'farmer'. All were listed by Revenue as either PAYE employee or 'not known'.

Overall, Revenue took in over €175.5m in settlements for the first three months of this year, involving 17,891 cases. Revenue said that the published settlements ‘reflect only a portion of all compliance interventions’ during those three months.