Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys has avoided a property tax on her old constituency office after failing to declare she’s no longer entitled to an exemption.
For failing to make this declaration Humphreys could face criminal prosecution under laws introduced when she was a government minister.
As social protection minister Humphreys spoke in the Dáil about the “importance of applicants notifying (her department) of any change in circumstances” so that “no overpayments occur”.
“Fuck off and leave me alone” was her answer to The Ditch after admitting in 2023 she was using two upper-floor derelict flats as “storage for the office” at the same Cavan property without planning permission.
‘No payments were received’
Heather Humphreys bought 79 Market Street, Cootehill in 2011 after her election to the Dáil earlier that year.
She was exempt from paying business rates (also known as commercial rates) till November 2024 while the property was used as her constituency office.
Councils apply these rates to commercial and industrial property to fund public lighting, roads, local economic development and community services.
Because Humphreys didn’t seek reelection to the Dáil in 2024 she was no longer entitled to this exemption by November that year.
Under section 10(2)(A) of the Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019, Humphreys was obliged to notify Cavan County Council within 10 days that her property wasn’t a constituency office anymore.
Failure to inform the council of a change in circumstances is a criminal offence under the same provision.
Cavan County Council told The Ditch yesterday that it “has not received any notification” the former justice minister’s Cootehill property “is no longer being used as a constituency office”.
The council official also confirmed that “as business rates were not levied on the property in 2025 no payments were received” from Humphreys.
Humphreys has been contacted for comment.
