Ray Burke, Where is he Now??

Ray Burke, born Raphael Patrick Burke on September 30, 1943, is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1973 to 1997 and held various ministerial roles, including Minister for Foreign Affairs (1997), Justice (1989–1992), and Communications (1987–1991). He was jailed in 2005 for tax evasion related to undeclared monies received.

red payments from the backers of Century Radio.

In July 2004, Burke pleaded guilty to making false tax returns, stemming from his failure to declare income of approximately £116,000, including £91,980 and £24,038, during a 1993 tax amnesty. On January 24, 2005, he was sentenced to six months in Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin, serving four and a half months due to good behavior. This made him one of the most senior Irish politicians to serve prison time. The judge noted Burke’s “premeditated acts to minimize his taxes” and abuse of his position as a parliament member.

Burke’s political career was also marred by corruption allegations. In 1997, he resigned as Minister for Foreign Affairs and from the Dáil after allegations surfaced that he received IR£80,000 from a property developer linked to Dublin County Council dealings. The Planning Tribunal, chaired by Justice Feargus Flood, investigated these claims and, in a 2002 interim report, judged Burke to be “corrupt,” citing seven corrupt payments totaling £175,000 from developers and businessmen in the 1980s. However, in 2015, the tribunal withdrew its corruption findings against Burke following a Supreme Court ruling that questioned the credibility of key witness James Gogarty, with Burke stating, “After 18 years I’m glad that justice has been done.”

Burke’s actions extended to controversial decisions as Minister for Communications, where he introduced legislation limiting RTÉ’s advertising revenue and favored Century Radio, requiring RTÉ to provide transmission services at a loss. His political career began on Dublin County Council in 1967, and he was a key figure in Fianna Fáil, closely aligned with Charles Haughey. Despite his conviction, Burke has maintained a low profile since his release, though he attended Haughey’s funeral in 2006