A best-selling Irish author has made a near €2.2m settlement with the Revenue Commissioners for not paying enough income tax, writes Helen Bruce.

Darren O’Shaughnessy, 53 – who writes under the pen name Darren Shan – is the author of a string of hugely successful fantasy novels, including The Demonata, Zom-B and the Saga of Darren Shan series.

Born in London, he moved to Limerick at the age of six and has been a novelist for most of his life.

He now writes primarily for children, but also releases the occasional book for adults, under the pseudonym of Darren Dash.

According to his own website, he has now sold more than 30 million books worldwide.

According to the latest tax-defaulters list, Mr O’Shaughnessy, of Shannon Grove, Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, owed €1.44m for the under-declaration of income tax, following a Revenue audit.

Describing his occupation as company director, landlord and novelist, the Revenue sad he owed €271,000 in interest and €432,000 in penalties, bringing his total settlement figure to €2.144m.

Mr O’Shaughnessy has been contacted for comment.

Revenue published a total of 36 cases yesterday, with a total settlement of close to €9.5m.

Of these, the majority – 28 – fell between €101,000 and €500,000, but two cases exceeded €1m, of which one was Mr O’Shaughnessy’s.

The other is related to Edward Moloney, a company director, landlord and property developer, with an address in Pinheiros Altos, Almancil, Portugal.

He was said to have settled an audit case for under-declared income tax for a total of €1.25m, which was paid in full.