A freelance photographer who owed the Revenue Commissioners more than €330,000 has been asked to teach photography to the less well off.
Niall Williamson of The Old Schoolhouse, Dunkitt, Co Kilkenny, owed Revenue €332,000 in VAT and penalties.
A jury found him guilty in April of 85 charges relating to tax offences between 1998 and 2004.
Most of the charges carry a maximum, substantial fine and/or up to five years in prison.
Judge Olive Buttimer told Kilkenny Circuit Court she could see 'no point' in sending the father-of-two to jail.
A Revenue official told the court Mr Williamson had been 'deliberate' in not paying his taxes on €1.4m worth of sales.
Judge Buttimer decided not to hand down a prison sentence but instead told Mr Williamson to teach photography in a voluntary capacity 'to the less privileged'.
Earlier, the court heard the defendant had a previous conviction for failing to submit income tax returns in 2002 and 2003.
Defence Counsel said Mr Williamson was no longer self-employed and was currently working for a company on a salary of €20,000 per annum plus 20% commission on sales.
The court heard he made €3,000 commission in the past six months meaning, his defence said, that his ability to repay was very limited.
In sentencing today, Judge Buttimer asked if the Probation Service would find him somewhere to teach photography on a voluntary basis.
Among the charges, Mr Williamson had been found guilty of filing incorrect VAT returns for periods between 1998 to 2002, claiming VAT which he knew he was not entitled and failing to pay VAT on sales for periods from 1997 to 2004.
