A shopkeeper has been sentenced to one year in prison for selling Romanian cigarettes and alcohol at his store in order to compete with other businesses, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told, reports Breaking News.
Radu Budai (40), residing at Moy Glas Road, Lucan, Co Dublin, admitted to revenue offences committed at his shop on Upper Dorset Street on March 7th, 2023.
Revenue officer Marie Treacy informed the court that Budai ran a Romanian store and engaged in the offences to stay competitive with nearby shops, reports Breaking News.
She told prosecuting counsel Fiona McGowan BL that Revenue officers entered the store during an investigation and encountered a woman working inside.
The woman presented a Romanian ID card to the officers and stated she would contact the owner, reports Breaking News.
While searching, officers discovered bottles of wine lacking Irish tax stamps, issued a caution to the woman, and interviewed her.
Additional boxes containing brandy and wine were found, along with large plastic containers filled with homemade alcohol, the court heard, reports Breaking News.
Budai arrived at the store while the search was underway, but when questioned, it was stated that no useful evidence resulted from the interview.
During cross-examination, Officer Treacy confirmed to Simon Matthews BL, defending, that all of the goods were confiscated.
In his client’s defense, Mr Matthews said Budai was trying to keep up with larger stores selling similar items, reports Breaking News.
Mr Matthews said Budai moved to Ireland in 2007, has a wife and two children, and frequently travels between Ireland and Romania to care for his ill father. He mentioned that Budai has not worked in the store since the investigation began.
He also noted that Budai suffers from health problems, including a gastric balloon procedure and sleep apnoea, reports Breaking News.
He added that Budai was attempting to stay competitive with other retailers. He asked the judge to consider Budai’s family responsibilities, his early guilty plea, his health concerns, and the support he provides to his father. Mr Matthews also highlighted that the products were confiscated and said the actions were a poor choice.
Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged that Budai appeared to be a devoted family man but stated that his actions were motivated by profit.
Judge Nolan pointed out that the Revenue lost €27,000 due to the sale of the illegal cigarettes and alcohol. He acknowledged Budai’s cooperation but concluded that a prison sentence was appropriate, and sentenced him to a year in custody, reports Breaking News.
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