Stephen Hendrick, 47, of Balbutcher Drive, Ballymun, pleaded guilty in April 2015 to possessing 59 rounds of ammunition at Furry Park, Turnapin Great, Old Airport Road, Cloghran. He had previously been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court, but while on bail committed the offence for which he pleaded guilty. He applied for five days' temporary bail to spend Christmas with his family, but the State objected. Mr Justice Paul Butler, with Judges John O'Hagan and Ann Ryan, refused the application, citing the risk of disrepute. Hendrick will be sentenced on 12 February 2016.
Michael Finlay, 36, was granted temporary bail by the Special Criminal Court from 24 to 31 December. He faces charges of IRA membership and unlawful possession of a 9x18mm Makarov pistol and ammunition. The court imposed conditions including a daily curfew, daily sign‑in at Crumlin Garda Station, surrender of his passport, prohibition from associating with convicted or charged persons, and restriction on contacting witnesses. He must also provide a mobile number and is secured by a €6,000 surety.
The Special Criminal Court has reserved judgment in the trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Co Louth, who is charged with alleged tax evasion. Mr Murphy, who pleaded not guilty to nine charges, is accused of failing to furnish returns of income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, acting on a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, alleges that despite conducting significant cattle and land dealings and receiving farming grants, he made no tax returns. In his closing speech, defence counsel John Kearney QC argued that reasonable doubt exists regarding who was the chargeable person, asserting that Mr Murphy's brother, Patrick, managed the farming activities. Kearney criticised the Revenue Officer's evidence as a superficial, face-value analysis that presumed Thomas Murphy signed documents without considering the alternate theory of Patrick Murphy's involvement. The defence also cited handwriting expert evidence suggesting Thomas Murphy did not sign certain documents. Presiding Judge Paul Butler, alongside Judges John O'Hagan and Ann Ryan, indicated the court may deliver its verdict on December 17th, though he noted it was not certain. Mr Justice Butler remanded Mr Murphy on continuing bail until that date.
The Special Criminal Court has heard the defence closing speech in the trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Co Louth. The defendant, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains to the Collector General or the Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. Prosecutors, acting on a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, allege that despite conducting significant cattle and land dealings and receiving farming grants, Murphy made no returns to revenue. Defence counsel John Kearney QC argued that Murphy's brother, Patrick, managed the farming activities and controlled the relevant bank accounts. Kearney contended that the prosecution cannot prove Murphy personally attended livestock marts or meat factories, nor that he was the chargeable person in charge of the farm. He further submitted that the forensic accountant's evidence was discredited by unanalysed materials, including Patrick Murphy's bank account. The defence requested the court to find reasonable doubt regarding the viability of the prosecution's evidence. The matter is currently at the pre-trial stage, with the closing speech expected to conclude the following day.
Jim Smyth, a 43-year-old man from County Monaghan, was released on bail at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin following a trial-stage hearing. He is charged with membership of an unlawful organization, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 25th, 2015. The charge remains alleged and contested. Smyth was arrested in Carrickmacross by the Special Detective Unit during investigations into dissident republican activity that uncovered a cache of firearms, including AK47 assault rifles, mortars, and IED components. Detective Inspector William Hanrahan and Detective Chief Superintendent John McMahon objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charge and the need to prevent serious offences under Section 2 of the Bail Act. However, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding with Judges John O'Hagan and Ann Ryan, granted bail, noting Smyth had no previous convictions and strong community roots. Conditions include signing daily at Monaghan Garda station, observing a curfew from 12pm to 7am, providing a mobile number, surrendering travel documents, not leaving the jurisdiction, and not associating with anyone charged with a scheduled offence. Smyth was released on his own bond of €20,000.
During the second day of the Special Criminal Court hearing, Thomas "Slab" Murphy (66) pleaded not guilty to nine tax‑evasion charges covering 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution alleges that, although he was involved in cattle and land dealings and received farming grants, he failed to file income, profit or gain returns to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes. The defence, led by John Kearney QC, argues reasonable doubt exists over whether Thomas Murphy was the chargeable person. Kearney suggests his brother Patrick Murphy, who managed the cattle herd and farming activities, may have been the actual farmer and the one who applied for the herd number in 1991. He also questions whether Thomas Murphy lived in Ballybinaby, noting he was not present during the 2006 CAB search. The trial will resume on Tuesday for the defence's closing speech.
Damien Metcalfe, 30, was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army and released on bail by the Special Criminal Court. He was arrested by the Special Detective Unit in Dublin last week. The court set conditions: he must report twice daily to Clondalkin Garda station, observe a curfew from 11 pm to 7 am, provide a mobile number, surrender his passport and travel documents, stay within the jurisdiction, avoid contact with charged persons and witnesses. He was released on a €100 bond and a €6,000 surety.
Closing speeches are currently being heard at the Special Criminal Court in the trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, led by Paul Burns SC, contends that Murphy was a chargeable person who received income from cattle and land dealings and farming grants but made no returns to Revenue. Burns argued that the crux of the case is whether Murphy was entitled to receive this income, noting that funds were deposited into his bank account and used for a pension policy. He dismissed the defence suggestion of identity theft as a construct to evade evidence. In response, defence counsel John Kearney QC argued that Murphy's brother, Patrick Murphy, managed the cattle herd and farming activities. Kearney cited a 2009 statement of affairs in which Patrick Murphy admitted to being in charge of the herd. The defence also highlighted expert handwriting evidence suggesting documents bearing Thomas Murphy's signature were forged. Kearney further noted that no cattle dealing cheques appeared in Murphy's bank account for its first three years. The defence closing speech is expected to conclude tomorrow, with the matter remaining at the trial stage.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 2 December 2015, Séamus McGrane, 60, of Little Road, Domiskin, Co. Louth, was denied bail. McGrane faces charges of directing the activities of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and of membership in the IRA, both offences committed between 23 December 2009 and 13 May 2015. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler with Judges John O'Hagan and Anne Ryan, rejected both his application and that of his solicitor, Tony McGillicuddy BL, for temporary bail.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, has heard expert evidence regarding documents allegedly signed in his name. Murphy, who has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging he failed to furnish income returns to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004, is being prosecuted following a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant cattle and land dealings and receiving farming grants, Murphy made no returns to revenue. Defence witness and handwriting expert Stephen Cosslett testified that his first report found "strong evidence" that Murphy did not sign a number of questioned documents. He further stated there was "conclusive evidence" that three documents from 2007 to 2009 were signed by Patrick Murphy, the accused's brother. Regarding a second report examining cheques, Cosslett noted "limited evidence" that Murphy did not sign the reverse of the cheques, though he acknowledged the examination circumstances were "not ideal" as a magnifying glass was used instead of a microscope. Under cross-examination, Cosslett agreed it was "more than likely" Murphy signed certain land rental declarations and EU Area Aid Applications from 1994 to 2004. The defence has closed its case, and closing speeches are expected to be heard tomorrow.
A man serving a life sentence for his role in a dissident republican murder in Donegal in 2008 has lodged an appeal against conviction at the Court of Appeal. Martin Kelly, aged 41, from Strabane in County Tyrone, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court in January 2012 of the murder of Andrew Burns, who was shot dead in a church car park at Donnyloop, Castlefin, on 12 February 2008. Kelly had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The three-judge court also convicted him of unlawful possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, imposing a mandatory life sentence for murder and eight years for the firearms offence. Kelly's barrister submitted that statements made during gardaí interviews should be ruled inadmissible, arguing they were not voluntarily given and that fair procedures were breached. Counsel also contended that the trial court should have considered whether the actions taken departed fundamentally from what was planned in the alleged joint enterprise.
Jim Smyth, a 43-year-old man from County Monaghan, appeared at an out-of-hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to face charges related to alleged dissident republican activity. He was arrested by the Special Detective Unit on Main Street, Carrickmacross, outside the local garda station, as part of ongoing investigations. The court heard that Mr Smyth was charged with membership of an unlawful organization, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 25th, 2015. Detective Garda Colm Finnerty testified that he arrested Mr Smyth under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, explaining the reason for the arrest and cautioning him, to which Mr Smyth made no reply. The accused was subsequently detained in Carrickmacross Garda Station before being transported to the Special Criminal Court, where he was shown the charge sheet without responding. Defense counsel Breffni Gordon BL noted that Mr Smyth had been in custody since the previous Wednesday night. Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge William Hamill, remanded Mr Smyth in custody until Wednesday morning, when a bail application is expected to be heard. The matter remains at the pretrial stage, with no plea entered or finding made.
Gary Yeung, a 31-year-old man from Limerick, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for the unlawful possession of firearms. In October, Yeung pleaded guilty to possessing a .455 Colt model "New Service" revolver and a .455 Calibre Webley Mark 6 revolver bearing serial number 324736 at James' Street, Dublin 8, on September 14, 2013. During the sentence hearing, Detective Superintendent Tom Maguire of the Special Detective Unit stated that detectives received information in September 2013 that Yeung was travelling from Limerick to Dublin for an IRA operation. Surveillance led to Yeung handing a bag to another man outside Kenny's public house; two firearms wrapped in socks were found inside. The Colt was described as rusted but operational, while the Webley was not. DNA analysis linked Yeung to the bag but not the guns. Yeung has ten previous minor convictions. Mr Justice Paul Butler noted the offence was serious but cited mitigation factors including Yeung's early guilty plea, expressed remorse, and low risk of reoffending. The court imposed a five-year prison sentence, with the final three years suspended. Yeung, who has been in custody for two months, had his sentence backdated to September 27 of this year.
Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, Crumlin, was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on 21 November 2015. He was arrested in County Laois by the Special Detective Unit during an operation targeting dissident republican activity. The case was heard at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, where the State Solicitor informed the three‑judge panel that the Director of Public Prosecutions did not oppose Kenna's bail application. The court set strict bail conditions: Kenna must live in Crumlin, report twice daily to Crumlin Garda station, observe a curfew from 11 pm to 7 am, provide a mobile phone number, surrender his passport and all travel documents, remain within the jurisdiction, avoid Northern Ireland, refrain from associating with anyone charged with a scheduled offence, and not contact any proposed prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly. Kenna accepted these conditions.
A 30‑year‑old man named Damien Metcalfe appeared at an out‑of‑hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on 26 November 2015. He was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Metcalfe was arrested the previous day by the Special Detective Unit during investigations into dissident republican activity. He was taken to Irishtown Garda Station and then to the court, where he was cautioned and informed of the charge. The judge remanded him in custody until the following Tuesday.
The Special Criminal Court has rejected the defence application to dismiss tax charges against Thomas Murphy, a 66-year-old from Ballybinaby, Co Louth. Mr Murphy, who pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging he failed to furnish income returns to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004, is currently on trial before a three-judge non-jury court. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant cattle and land dealings and receiving farming grants, Mr Murphy made no returns to Revenue. Defence counsel Tony McGillicuddy BL argued the case constituted an abuse of process, citing a Revenue Inspector's estimate of €15,000 annual farming income, and contended that the prosecution bore the burden of proving the absence of reasonable excuse. Presiding Judge Paul Butler rejected these submissions, stating there was no evidence supporting the abuse of process claim and ruling that the evidential burden regarding reasonable excuse falls on the accused. The court also addressed discrepancies in charge wording, noting earlier years included "knowingly and wilfully" while later years specified "without reasonable excuse." The trial, which stems from a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, was adjourned and is scheduled to resume on Friday.
Brian Kenna, a 54‑year‑old man from Crumlin Park, Crumlin, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on a Sunday hearing. He was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), an unlawful organisation, following his arrest by the Special Detective Unit on 21 November 2015 in the car‑park of Portlaoise Garda Station at 12:08 pm. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce explained the arrest to Kenna in ordinary language and warned him. Kenna, wearing a black jumper, did not stand when the charge was read. The State Solicitor, Ms Una Duggan, sought a remand in custody of at least 48 hours. Kenna's counsel, Mr Dean Kelly BL, requested a hearing next Thursday and a bail application, and confirmed a statement of means had been submitted for legal aid. Judge Paul Butler, with Judges William Hamill and Cormac Dunne, remanded Kenna in custody, allowing him to apply for bail until 26 November.
Brian Meehan, 47, serving a life sentence in Portlaoise prison for the 1996 murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, has applied to the Court of Appeal to quash his 1999 conviction on the basis of new evidence. The new evidence concerns facts that emerged during the 2001 Special Criminal Court trial of John Gilligan, who was acquitted of Guerin's murder. Meehan's counsel, Hugh Hartnett SC, argued that the Special Criminal Court had relied solely on the testimony of an "admitted accomplice" and protected witness, Russell Warren, whose credibility was later undermined by a failure to identify him on an identification parade involving witness Marian Finnegan. Hartnett contended that this new fact, unknown to the defence and the court at the time of Meehan's trial, should invalidate the conviction. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Thomas O'Connell SC, opposed the application, asserting that the material was already available to Meehan's lawyers and that the appeal should be dismissed.
In 2011, Nicholas Kendall, aged 25, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for possessing a range of explosive materials, including Semtex components, mortar bomb fusing parts, improvised timing units, explosive propellant powder, and clothes pegs modified as electro‑mechanical switches. He also pleaded guilty to holding a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi‑automatic pistol and a component of a timing power unit. The offences were uncovered during raids on his parents' rural home in Wexford and a house in Louth on 8 October 2010. On appeal, Kendall argued the sentence was unduly excessive. The court agreed, reducing the sentence to two consecutive five‑year terms with the final 21 months suspended, thereby establishing an effective custodial term of ten years and one month. The decision was based on the seriousness of the offences, the lack of prior convictions, and the plea of guilty.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has been adjourned until Friday. The defence applied for the postponement to furnish a report from a handwriting expert. Mr Murphy, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains, or the source of such income, to the Collector General or the Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant dealings in cattle and land and receiving farming grants from the Department of Agriculture, Mr Murphy failed to make any returns to revenue. The defence contends that Mr Murphy's brother managed the accused man's cattle herd and farming activities. The case is being prosecuted on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau. As the matter was adjourned, it has not been concluded or finalised.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, continued at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The defendant, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging he failed to furnish income tax returns for the years 1996/97 to 2004. Prosecutors, acting on a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, allege that despite conducting significant cattle and land dealings and receiving farming grants, Murphy did not pay taxes. During cross-examination, a Revenue Inspector testified that he estimated Murphy's farming income at 15,000 Irish Pounds annually from 1996 to 2001, and 15,000 Euro annually from 2002 to 2004. The Inspector stated these figures were fair and equitable based on available documentation, though he acknowledged the records were incomplete. Defence counsel John Kearney QC challenged the evidence, noting the Inspector did not verify signatures on grant applications and that Murphy's brother, Patrick, had transferred a herd number to his wife in 2001. The Inspector maintained this transfer was commercially normal and did not raise scepticism. Kearney further argued that documentation suggested a single farming unit and that Patrick Murphy's 2008 settlement with the State relied on a statement citing a herd number attributed to Thomas Murphy. The Inspector declined to speculate on whether Patrick's returns related to another herd. The trial continues.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, continued at the Special Criminal Court. Mr Murphy, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains or the source of his income, profits or gains to the Collector General or the Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution is proceeding on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau. During cross-examination, a Revenue Inspector, who cannot be named for legal reasons, testified that he does not know if the signature on farming grant applications belongs to Mr Murphy. The defence, represented by John Kearney QC, claims that Mr Murphy's brother managed the accused man's cattle herd and farming activities. The prosecution's case is that, although Mr Murphy conducted significant dealings in relation to cattle and land and received farming grants from the Department of Agriculture, he failed to make any returns to revenue. The witness agreed with the defence that if Mr Murphy signed the forms, it would mean he was the farmer of the herd, but confirmed he does not know whether Mr Murphy actually signed the documents. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is ongoing at the Special Criminal Court. The defendant, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, led by Paul Burns SC, is prosecuting on foot of a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant dealings in cattle and land and receiving farming grants from the Department of Agriculture, Murphy failed to make any returns to Revenue. Evidence from a Revenue Inspector, who cannot be named, was presented to the court. The Inspector stated that in October 2005, he was instructed to investigate Murphy's tax affairs. He examined various documents, including bank details, cattle mart invoices, Department of Agriculture grant cheques, EU Area Aid forms, and documents seized by the CAB from Murphy's and his family's homes. The Inspector concluded that Murphy was involved in the farming business and did not file tax returns from 1996 to 2004, asserting that documentary evidence showed Murphy was a chargeable person who should have furnished returns. Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding over the three-judge, non-jury court, ruled the evidence admissible after defence lawyers raised objections regarding its admissibility. The trial continues.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard legal arguments today in the non-jury trial of Thomas Murphy, a 66-year-old resident of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth. The defendant, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits, or gains, or the source of such income, to the Collector General or the Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, acting on an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau, alleges that although Mr Murphy conducted significant dealings in cattle and land and received farming grants from the Department of Agriculture, he failed to make any returns to revenue. The court is currently at the hearing or decision stage, with the matter not yet concluded. The trial is scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
Three men—Conor Hughes (38), Darren Fox (26) and Jamie Smithers (36)—were charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army and firearms offences. They were arrested early on Halloween morning by the Special Detective Unit in County Limerick. The charges include unlawful possession of a Winchester 12‑gauge shotgun and two 12‑gauge cartridges. The State objected to their bail applications, but Mr Justice Paul Butler of the Special Criminal Court granted bail. Conditions require the men to stay at home, observe a curfew from 11 pm to 7 am, sign daily at a local Garda station, remain available on a mobile phone, and avoid contact with anyone charged with a scheduled offence or with each other. Hughes and Fox must not leave County Dublin; Smithers must not leave Carlow or Wexford.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Co Louth, continued at the Special Criminal Court, where he faces nine charges alleging he failed to furnish returns of income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. Mr Murphy has pleaded not guilty to all allegations. Evidence was heard regarding a ledger seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau during a 2006 raid on a shed on the border with Northern Ireland. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant cattle and land dealings and receiving farming grants, Mr Murphy made no revenue returns. Conversely, the defence argues the ledger was used to create a profit and loss account for the Murphy farming business, managed by Mr Murphy's brother. A forensic accountant, examined under cross-examination by defence counsel John Kearney QC, stated that the ledger represented a centralized recording system for the enterprise. While the defence suggested the ledger recorded all money in and out, the accountant disagreed that calculating a profit and loss account from it would be easy, noting he did not recreate such an account. He further stated that the ledger entries alone meant nothing without cross-referencing with other documents, a process he completed at the start of the trial. The afternoon's proceedings were taken up with legal argument. The matter was adjourned, and the trial continues.
Conan Murphy, aged 28 and son of Colm Murphy, who was convicted of the 1998 Omagh bombing but later cleared, has filed an appeal against his own conviction for explosives offences. In March 2012, the Special Criminal Court sentenced him to eight and a half years' imprisonment after finding him guilty of possessing explosive substances at Aghaboys, Mount Pleasant, on 22 May 2010. His co‑accused, Philip McKevitt, 60, received the same sentence for the same offence committed at his home on the same date. The trial, which began in December 2011, revealed that Gardaí raided McKevitt's home and discovered an "adaptive" advertising trailer built to conceal two gas containers that had been modified to explode. The device, advertising "FlogTheLot.ie", was said to contain about 500 lb of explosive mix, capable of causing death and destruction comparable to the 1998 bombing.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin formally disposed of an IRA membership charge against Adrian Crevan Mackin, who killed Garda Tony Golden and later committed suicide. The court marked Mackin's indictment as "accused deceased" and ordered the return of his €100 bail and €5,000 independent surety. Mackin, 25, had been complying with bail conditions when he shot Garda Golden and seriously injured his partner Siobhan Phillips at their home in Omeath, Co. Louth. His counsel, Tony McGillicuddy BL, requested the hearing be treated as a trial day, which the judge agreed to.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Co Louth, continued with cross-examination of a forensic accountant. Mr Murphy, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging he failed to furnish returns of income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution alleges that despite significant dealings in cattle and land and receiving farming grants, he did not make returns to Revenue. The case stems from a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation following a 2006 search of a shed on the Northern Ireland border, where ledgers and cheques were seized. Defence counsel John Kearney QC suggested that Mr Murphy's brother, Patrick Murphy, managed the cattle herd, citing documents linking Patrick to the shed and diary entries indicating Patrick contacted Portlaoise regarding Thomas Murphy's payments. The forensic accountant disagreed, stating the documents related to the entire Murphy family and suggested centralized management and an organized bookkeeping system for the enterprise. The accountant clarified that diary entries referred specifically to Thomas Murphy's claims. The matter was adjourned, with the trial set to continue tomorrow morning with further cross-examination.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas "Slab" Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, continued today with cross-examination of a forensic accountant working with the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). Mr Murphy has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains, or the source of such income, to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant dealings in cattle and land and receiving farming grants, Mr Murphy failed to make any returns to revenue. The accountant, who examined documents seized by CAB in 2006 from a shed on the border with Northern Ireland, described the contents as "extremely unusual." He stated that analysis indicated a centralised system for managing the finances of the Murphy family and an associated oil business. While defence counsel John Kearney QC suggested the documents showed a centralised operation by Patrick Murphy, the accountant disagreed, noting that proceeds went into Thomas Murphy's bank account. The accountant also highlighted uninterpretable codes in the ledgers and explained that simultaneous invoices for three family members reflected economies of scale rather than a single herd management structure. The trial continues.
Three men—Conor Hughes (38), Darren Fox (26) and Jamie Smithers (36)—appeared before the Special Criminal Court on 2 November 2015. They were charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army, an unlawful organisation, and with possession of a Winchester 12‑gauge shotgun and two 12‑gauge cartridges. The arrests were made early on 31 October 2015 by the Special Detective Unit in County Limerick. The court heard that the men did not reply to their arrest or caution. No bail applications were made. The judge remanded the men to custody to appear again on Friday. The proceedings were conducted in the non‑jury Special Criminal Court, with each accused represented by counsel. No further details of the case were disclosed in the article.
During the Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas "Slab" Murphy, a forensic accountant from the Criminal Assets Bureau testified that a ledger seized from a shed on the Northern Ireland border is a record of Murphy's expenditure. The accountant, who cannot be named, had previously examined the ledger, cheques and cheque books seized in 2006. He described the ledger as "not the normal type of records one would encounter" and referred to it as the "loan book." The accountant cross‑referenced entries with a bank account opened in Murphy's name and agreed that an entry labelled "milk bill" was a payment of a milk bill, not a loan of milk. He denied that the ledger recorded loans from Patrick Murphy to Thomas Murphy and rejected the suggestion that the bank account was used for such loans. The trial will resume on Tuesday. Thomas Murphy pleaded not guilty.
Belfast man Sean Hannaway, 47, was granted a bail variation by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to attend an NFL match in the UK this weekend. He had previously been granted bail in August pending his trial for IRA membership. The court heard that he was seeking permission to travel to the UK for a football match. The Director of Public Prosecutions did not object to the application. Mr Hannaway will continue signing on at his local police station when he returns.
Eamon McNamee, 34, of Larkfield Square, Lucan, County Dublin, was granted bail at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. He is charged with possession of a firearm with the intent to commit an indictable offence, namely assault causing harm, allegedly at Fairgreen, Saggart, Co Dublin on January 19th, 2013. The three-judge court approved his application for bail, releasing him on his own bond of €1,000 and an independent surety of €20,000. McNamee must surrender his passport and refrain from travelling outside Ireland or to Northern Ireland. He is required to sign on daily at Lucan garda station between 9am and 9pm and observe a curfew from 12am to 7am. Additionally, he must not associate with anyone convicted or charged with a scheduled offence, maintain good behaviour, and provide a mobile phone number to gardai. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the charges alleged and contested.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for alleged tax evasion has heard evidence from a forensic accountant. The prosecution alleges that Murphy failed to furnish returns of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004, despite conducting significant dealings in cattle and land and receiving farming grants. Murphy has pleaded not guilty to nine charges arising from a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation known as Operation Achilles. The unnamed forensic accountant testified regarding ledgers, cheques, and cheque books seized during a 2006 search of a shed on the border with Northern Ireland. He stated that specific letters in the ledgers, such as "T" and "under Tom," referred to Thomas Murphy, while other entries related to family members, including his brother Patrick. The accountant cross-referenced these entries with invoices from cattle marts and a bank account in Murphy's name. Under cross-examination, the accountant maintained his objectivity and independence, rejecting the defence suggestion that the operation aimed solely to target Murphy. He also disagreed with the assertion that the family operated as a single farm, noting that each member took their share of the money. The defence argued that Patrick Murphy paid the tax due for the herd. The trial continues.
Eamon McNamee, 34, of Larkfield Square, Lucan, County Dublin, appeared at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, where he was charged with possession of a firearm with the intent to commit an indictable offence, namely assault causing harm. The alleged incident is said to have occurred at Fairgreen, Saggart, Co Dublin, on January 19, 2013. Detective Garda Graham Dunne of the Special Detective Unit informed the court that he arrested Mr McNamee under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at 7:21 am. The court heard that Mr McNamee made no reply when cautioned and also made no reply when shown a copy of the original charge sheet at the Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, remanded Mr McNamee in custody until tomorrow morning, when a bail application is expected to be made. The matter was adjourned and has not been concluded or finalised.
During the Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas "Slab" Murphy for alleged tax evasion, the prosecution presented evidence that the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) discovered €256,235 in cash and £111,185 sterling in cheques in an outhouse at Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, County Louth, on March 9 2006. The outhouse, which faced a road in Northern Ireland and had been sold to Patrick Murphy, was searched by CAB detectives who also found documentation related to the oil industry and farming. A chartered accountant, who works with CAB, testified that a bank account opened in Thomas Murphy's name had a total debit of €624,807.49 and a total credit of €668,182.45 between 1996 and 2006, with activity levels varying in line with Murphy's sales. Murphy, aged 66, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of failing to file income, profit or gain returns for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The trial continues.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the charge of IRA membership against Adrian Crevan Mackin, who killed Garda Tony Golden and wounded his partner before taking his own life, was struck out. Prosecutor Michael O'Donovan instructed the court to withdraw the single charge. Mackin, 25, had been granted bail on a €100 bond with a €5,000 surety and was complying with bail conditions at the time of the murder. Judge Paul Butler noted that the deceased could not defend himself against bail breach allegations, and the matter was scheduled for re‑mention on November 5th.
Reports that the Government intends to establish a second Special Criminal Court have surprised legal practitioners, despite existing legislation. The current non-jury court faces a significant backlog, with the earliest available trial date in June 2017. Establishing a second court requires new judicial panels, additional resources for the DPP and Gardaí, and a secure location, potentially Cloverhill, as the current Court 11 at the Criminal Courts of Justice is fully utilized. The court currently has 34 people before it and 19 fixed trials scheduled through early 2017. Notable recent proceedings include the July 2014 sentencing of Wayne Dundon and Nathan Killeen, who were convicted of the murder of Limerick businessman Roy Collins and jailed for life following a 29-day trial. Additionally, the trial of three men accused of the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly collapsed in January after 55 days due to disclosure issues; the matter was adjourned for a retrial in January 2017, and the accused were released on bail. A separate 21-day trial of seven Dublin men accused of dissident republican membership ended with their acquittal earlier this year. The Special Criminal Court, established in 1972, has historically handled cases related to the Troubles and more recently dissident republican and gangland activity.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, for alleged tax evasion is ongoing at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish returns of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, acting on an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau, contends that although Murphy conducted significant dealings in cattle and land and received farming grants, he did not report this income to Revenue. During proceedings, the court heard evidence from Vincent Murray, a former procurement manager at Newgrange Meats in Slane, County Meath. Murray provided records indicating that a man named Thomas Murphy supplied cattle to the factory. Specifically, the court was shown records stating that on October 18, 2004, twenty-two cattle were slaughtered, supplied by Thomas Murphy of Ballybinaby. Two cheques totaling over €15,000, made payable to Thomas Murphy, were exhibited to the three-judge court. Defense counsel John Kearney QC suggested to the witness that the signatures on the back of these cheques were clearly different from the defendant's signature, a point Murray agreed with. The trial, which was adjourned before lunch, will resume on Tuesday.
The trial of Thomas "Slab" Murphy at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard evidence that between December 2000 and August 2004, a man of the same name sold cattle worth over €160,000 for slaughter. The prosecution alleges that although the accused, aged 66 and resident at Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, County Louth, engaged in substantial cattle and land dealings and received farming grants, he failed to submit any tax returns. Mr Murphy has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of failing to furnish income returns to the revenue authorities for the years 1996/97 to 2004. Evidence from the financial controller of Donegal Meat Processors detailed cheques issued to Thomas Murphy during the period in question. The prosecution's case is being advanced by the Criminal Assets Bureau. The trial continues.
A trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard evidence concerning banking transactions linked to a man named Thomas Murphy with an address in County Louth. The accused, aged 66 and from Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of failing to furnish tax returns to revenue authorities for the years 1996 to 2004. The prosecution alleges he conducted substantial cattle and land dealings whilst receiving farming grants but made no income declarations. Evidence was presented regarding cheques drawn from an account at Permanent TSB in Dundalk, with payments made to livestock marts in Elphin, Ballyjamesduff and Kingscourt. The defence contends the accused did not control the account and that his brother Patrick Murphy was responsible for its operation. The case, brought following a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, continues.
The trial of Thomas Murphy at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard evidence regarding substantial cattle transactions spanning several years. A former project manager at Kepak Meat Processors testified that between August 1999 and August 2001, cattle valued at over €30,000 were supplied to the company by a man named Thomas Murphy. Additional evidence was presented concerning cattle purchases made in May 2004, including transactions at livestock marts in County Galway and Kingscourt, County Cavan. Mr Murphy, aged 66 and resident in County Louth, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of failing to furnish income returns to revenue authorities for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution alleges that despite significant dealings in cattle and land and receipt of farming grants, the accused made no tax returns. The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Assets Bureau. The trial before the three-judge court continues.
The trial of Thomas Murphy at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard evidence regarding substantial cattle trading activity spanning several years. Prosecution witnesses, employed at livestock marts in counties Meath, Cavan, and Roscommon, provided documentation to gardaí detailing transactions in the name of a man named Thomas Murphy with an address at Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, County Louth. Evidence indicated cattle purchases totalling approximately €370,000 between 1999 and 2005, transacted through Carnaross Mart, Ballyjamesduff Cattle Mart, and Elphin Co-op Livestock Mart. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant dealings in cattle and land, and receiving farming grants, Mr Murphy failed to make returns to revenue. Mr Murphy, aged 66, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges relating to failure to furnish income returns for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The trial, conducted by the Criminal Assets Bureau, continues before a three-judge bench.
Gary Yeung, 31, of Bawnmore View, Crossagalla, Limerick, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to unlawful possession of a .455 Colt "New Service" revolver and a .455 Webley Mark 6 revolver (serial 324736) found at James' Street, Dublin 8 on 14 September 2013. He surrendered bail, was remanded by Justice Paul Butler until 27 November when sentencing will occur. Another man charged with the same offence is expected to be tried later this month.
The trial of a man charged with tax evasion has heard evidence at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin concerning significant cattle trading and agricultural grants. A former manager of Roscommon Livestock Mart testified that between 1999 and 2004, a man named Thomas Murphy traded cattle valued at over €150,000. A retired Department of Agriculture official gave evidence of farming grants totalling over €100,000 paid to an individual of that name at an address in Hackballscross, County Louth, between 1996 and 2004. The prosecution alleges the accused failed to declare income or file tax returns relating to these dealings across multiple years. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to nine counts of failing to furnish returns of income and profits to tax authorities for the period 1996 to 2004. The case, investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau, continues before a three-judge panel.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is ongoing at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The defendant, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish returns of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, acting on an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau, contends that although Murphy received over €100,000 in grants from the Department of Agriculture and conducted significant dealings in cattle and land, he did not report this income to Revenue. Evidence presented by Patrick O'Hara, a retired Department of Agriculture employee, detailed payments made to a Thomas Murphy at the defendant's address between 1996 and 2004. These payments, totaling over €100,000, were attributed to farming grant schemes including the Slaughter Premium Scheme and the Special Beef Premium. The case is being heard by a three-judge, non-jury court. The trial continues, with no final verdict or sentence issued at this stage.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Thomas Murphy, a 66-year-old resident of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth. Murphy, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish returns of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, led by Paul Burns SC, is prosecuting on foot of a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. The court heard that in 1991, a man named Thomas Murphy applied for a herd number from the Department of Agriculture, a registration required for farmers dealing in cattle. Retired Department of Agriculture employee Pat Rafferty testified that he received the application form, which was signed by Thomas Murphy, and visited the Ballybinaby farm for an inspection before issuing the number. Rafferty stated he likely met the applicant during the visit but could not confirm the individual's identity with certainty. The prosecution's case is that Murphy received grants totalling over €100,000 over eight years and conducted significant dealings in cattle and land, yet failed to make any returns to revenue. The trial continues.
Samuel Devlin, a man from Northern Ireland who has lived in Dublin, was charged by the Special Detective Unit in May 2014 with unlawful possession of the explosive substance Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) at Finnstown House Hotel and with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). In August 2015 the High Court granted him ten days' compassionate bail to visit his terminally ill mother in Northern Ireland. The Special Criminal Court in Dublin considered his application for bail today, noting that the court had previously ordered him to return after the earlier bail period and that he had done so. Detective Inspector Anthony Lenehan expressed concerns that Devlin might not appear for trial. Judge Paul Butler, presiding, took the objection seriously and imposed bail conditions requiring a €1,000 bond, no further offences, good behaviour, a landline contact for Gardaí, residence at an agreed address, a curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and availability to the PSNI.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing in Dublin, a County Meath farmer, Brian Garvey, testified that Thomas "Slab" Murphy, aged 66, rented 246 acres from him for five or six years, paying cash and occasionally third‑party cheques from oil companies. Garvey said that from 1999 to 2002 Murphy paid 25,000 Irish pounds per year in cash, and that Murphy's nephew once gave him 5,000 euros for rent. Garvey also confirmed that in 1994, Patrick Murphy was the chief negotiator and that early payments were made by Patrick Murphy. Thomas Murphy is charged with nine counts of failing to file tax returns for 1996/97 to 2004, and he has pleaded not guilty. The trial continues.