TikTok Influencer 'The Irish Viking' Faces Driving Ban and Tax Woes

Matthew Gilbert, the social media personality known as 'The Irish Viking', has been handed a six-year driving disqualification and faced substantial tax penalties, according to recent court and revenue records.

Gilbert, 35, who now resides in Dubai, was caught driving at 134 kph in a 100 kph zone on January 2 while already disqualified and without insurance. His solicitor informed Bray District Court that Gilbert had returned to Ireland in December and rented a car using a valid UAE license. However, a previous five-year ban from 2021, against which an appeal was lodged and later withdrawn, rendered his driving status invalid.

The court imposed the new six-year ban, despite arguments that Gilbert technically held a valid license. This incident adds to a recent string of legal and financial challenges for the influencer.

Gilbert, formerly a barber, transitioned to content creation during the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing a significant presence on the explicit content platform OnlyFans. He claims to earn over €54,000 per month from approximately 3,000 subscribers, a figure that would equate to over €640,000 annually. He describes the work as demanding, requiring constant engagement with fans across different time zones.

His company, Matty Irish Viking Limited, was incorporated in March 2021. In March 2025, Gilbert and his company appeared on Revenue's list of tax defaulters. Gilbert under-declared his income by over €61,000, leading to a personal settlement of more than €88,000 including interest and penalties. His company under-declared corporation tax, PAYE, PRSI, USC, and VAT by €191,464, with a total settlement of €266,693. Revenue confirmed that all outstanding amounts have been paid in full, and Gilbert has not faced accusations beyond these settled tax matters.

Gilbert's online persona, which he claims is predominantly followed by women, centers on his bodybuilding physique and a self-styled 'Viking' image. He attributes his success to discipline and transformation, showcasing a physique developed over years of work. Despite the recent legal and financial issues, Gilbert maintains a large following, with 2.4 million followers on TikTok and an additional 400,000 across other platforms including OnlyFans. His ability to pay significant tax settlements and his established online presence suggest that notoriety may, in some aspects, enhance his brand within the attention economy, even as his public record shows a divergence from his carefully curated image.