Councillor Robert Troy has been granted a renewal of his auctioneer’s licence months after it went out of date.
The councillor failed to renew his licence at the normal summer licensing court after the license expired last summer.
Judge Neilan questioned whether Mr Troy should make a brand new application since he had been without a licence for more than six months, referring to a “yawning gap” in his affairs.
Mr Troy’s solicitor said he had delayed making the application because of the uncertainty in the housing market, however, the judge said he was not concerned about the market; rather with “the protection of clients’ money”.
Giving evidence, Mr Troy said he had not been practising as an auctioneer since July of last year and he certified that he had not received or held any clients’ money from then to January 14 this year.
The case was briefly adjourned while an accountant’s certificate was received to show that he had tax clearance for the relevant period and to certify that he had not practised as an auctioneer since July 31.
The original tax clearance certificate presented to the court was valid to May 31 and the judge requested a more up-to-date certificate before he would agree to renew the licence.
“Perhaps the accountant would certify that he hasn’t traded and that no members of the public were placed at risk,” he said.
There was no objection from the public or from Gardaí to the renewal of the licence.
The judge noted that Mr Troy’s address was given as care of the post office in Ballynacargy.
