Priest voices support for embattled Foster and Allen

A local priest who is currently on mission work in Ecuador has issued a strong defence of music duo Foster and Allen who recently failed in a court challenge against a Revenue bill of over €6m in taxes and penalties. Fr PJ Hughes, from Mount Temple, a nephew of Tony Allen, said the tax demand was "ridiculous" and showed how out of touch Revenue was with reality. In a letter to the Westmeath Independent this week, Fr Hughes said: "Sure the group made money and have made life better for themselves and for their families. However, they never made the money that would constitute them having to pay this excessive amount of tax." And he said the charity work of the duo and the employment they had created throughout their career should also be taken into consideration. "They are willing to pay their taxes," he said, before urging Revenue to "be reasonable and show some justice and fair play and know the facts". Citing the duo's record of supporting charities and good causes, he recalled two concerts in particular. "Back in 1987 Foster and Allen played a concert for a friend of mine who was seriously injured in an accident. I recall the equipment arriving, and lights and sound being set up hours beforehand. The whole night was free, not a penny paid to either Foster or Allen or to any of the staff that travel with them," he explained. And he referred to another concert in June last when Foster and Allen helped to raise more then €10,000 for his work on the mission. "Again no one got a penny, just a cup of tea and a sandwich. The equipment, sound and lights of Foster and Allen was used. Hours beforehand they were doing their sound check," he said. "Over the last 30 years Foster and Allen have raised hundreds of thousands of euro for many different charities. "How many of us would be prepared to give up one day's wages to a charity. Work for one day without pay? Not too many of us would be willing to do that. Yet that is what they do when they do a charity gig," he argued. Whilst accepting that the duo were rich but not millionaires, he said: "Their success in the music industry has meant that they have given a lot of employment to a lot of people. They did not put the money in their back pockets and run. They paid people to make sure their work was professional. They shared their wealth with others." Fr Hughes also said Revenue should take cognisance too of the ambassadorial role Foster and Allen had played for the country over the last 30 years. "If the tax office is serious about taxing Foster and Allen then they have to take all this into consideration. Both Foster and Allen are very humble and approachable people and would have no problem in meeting a representative from the tax office," he added. "If Foster and Allen were millionaires they would probably have done what a lot of millionaires have done left the country to live elsewhere so that they are exempt from paying any tax. "I salute Foster and Allen for what they have contributed to the Irish music industry and I pray that fair play and common sense comes into play," he concluded.