Burke Needs Public Aid.

By Mairead Carey

FORMER Fianna Fail Minister Ray Burke will apply for free legal aid before his next appearance in court on criminal charges in January. 

The disgraced former justice minister was arrested by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) on Monday for allegedly making a false declaration under the 1993 tax amnesty. 

Burke, who resigned his post as minister for foreign affairs in October 1997, appeared before the Dublin District Court that afternoon charged under Section 9 of the Waiver of Certain Tax and Interest Penalties Act 1993. 

The former minister was served with a ¤2 million tax bill by CAB last month.

Depending on the amount of money involved Burke could face a jail sentence of up to eight years if convicted of breaching the amnesty. It is claimed that the offences were committed on December 15, 1993.

Burke, who lives in Griffith Downs in Drumcondra in Dublin, arrived by agreement at the Bridewell Garda station in Dublin where he was arrested and charged shortly before 2 p.m. on Monday. He was held in custody and later appeared in the District Court. 

Detective Inspector Denis O’Leary of the Criminal Assets Bureau told the court that when charged, after caution, he replied, “Not guilty.”

Burke was released on his own cash bond of ¤600. His solicitor, Vincent Shannon, told the court his client would be applying for free legal aid. 

The former minister is due to appear before the court again on January 19 when a book of evidence is expected to be served on him.