€160k paid out for cattle slaughter, trial of prominent republican hears

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.