Importing car from UK but have lived here less than year

I have moved over to the UK with work for about 9months. I am planning to buy a car in the new year and would prefer not to have to pay VRT when I bring the car back to Ireland.

I will own and drive the car in the UK for over 6 months but I will not be present in the country for more than a year. I have read the revenue guidelines regarding VRT and they say you can't avail of the VRT exemption if you are posted over in the UK for less than a year. Does anyone know how strict they are on this? Could I say my plan was to stay long term but circumstances changed......?

Thanks

A very short answer here: "very" to the first question and (slightly longer here) "you can say whatever you like and I'm sure they'll listen politely, but if you don't meet the criteria (which you have to prove) you won't get the exemption".