ALLEGATIONS OF TAX IRREGULARITIES STRONGLY REFUTED AT COMMUNITY COUNCIL AGM
Allegations of any tax irregularities in Mitchelstown Community Council were staunchly refuted at this week’s annual general meeting. At the AGM, which was attended by the President of Munitir na Tire, Martin Quinn, the chairman Sean Finn was asked by Batt Power, who was attending the meeting as a member of the public, if the council’s tax affairs were in order.
“I have a letter here that lays out the facts that Mitchelstown Community Council Ltd tax affairs are not in order. In fact, the set of accounts presented tonight are invalid and can not be adopted,” Mr Power told the meeting.
AFFAIRS IN ORDER
Mr Power then presented a copy of this letter to the chairman Sean Finn who said he would deal with this in ‘any other business’. The meeting then adopted the treasurer’s report.
In dealing with the issue raised by Batt Power, Sean Finn told the meeting, “the accountants retained by Mitchelstown Community Council have assured me that all our tax affairs are in order.”
Earlier, as the meeting got under way, the chairman welcomed Muintir president, Martin Quinn to Mitchelstown, “We are delighted to have you here with us for our AGM,” Mr Finn said.
For his part, Martin Quinn said that he was delighted to be attending the AGM and spoke of the importance of community spirit in creating unity across rural Ireland: “Munitir na Tire was set up to bring together the people who live in rural communities across the country, to let the people of those communities work towards making their home place prosper both socially and economically in hard times and good and we can all be very proud of this community spirit that is so evident in Ireland today,” Mr Quinn said.
OUTLINE OF WORK
Sean Finn then outlined the work completed by the community council in 2010.
“We had many projects on the go last year and it was great to see the community working together. I must also thank and praise the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) for all their hard work and, of course, the members of the community council who volunteered their time over the last year.
"I also want to thank everybody at Tearmann Ui Chaoimh for all their help and for allowing us to have our meeting here. Already we have many plans in place for the remainder of 2011 and I know that we can count on the dedication and hard work of the people of this town when it comes to making our community a better place,” Sean Finn said.
The election of officers then took place with Sean Finn being returned as chairman, Therese Horgan was returned as secretary while Frances Finn was re - elected treasurer. Liam O’Doherty was elected vice chairman and Harry Walsh was elected assistant secretary. Michael White will remain as PRO.
RELATING TO CORPORATION TAX
Following the meeting Mr Finn spoke to The Avondhu in connection with the allegations that the community council’s tax affairs were not in order.
“The letter produced by Mr Power relates to corporation tax, as a voluntary organisation the community council is not subject to corporation tax. Our accountants have assured me that this matter is now in order and the subject is closed,” Sean Finn said.
However Mr Power, who was a member of the council up until the last election, maintains that Mitchelstown Community Council (MCC) was replaced by an incorporated Mitchelstown Community Council Ltd (MCC Ltd) back in 2009.
“The community council was a voluntary body. That changed in 2009. Now MCC Ltd isn’t. The revenue letter is addressed to MCC Ltd. This week’s meeting was the AGM of MCC Ltd. MCC doesn’t exist anymore. MCC Ltd would hardly have received a letter from revenue if it was constituted as a voluntary body. How can a voluntary organisation have a list of directors? A limited company will have a minimum of two. MCC Ltd has at least five,” Mr Power claimed.
Published:
Thursday 28th April 7:03pm