Courts / Louth / Report

Prominent republican Thomas Murphy pleads not guilty to tax charges

Date
2015-10-06
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Louth
County
Louth

Summary

Prominent republican Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, pleaded not guilty to nine alleged tax offences at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The charges, stemming from a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, allege 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. Murphy was originally returned for trial from Dundalk District Court in 2008, a decision he challenged at the High Court, which ruled his rights had been breached but allowed the trial to proceed. During the thirty-minute hearing, defence counsel Mr John Kearney QC applied for an adjournment, citing "rolling disclosure" that prevented the defence from accessing thousands of pages of material. Kearney argued the delay would allow both sides to assess admissibility, potentially excluding significant evidence. Prosecuting counsel Mr Paul Burns SC agreed to the adjournment, noting recent disclosure volume, while expressing hope that the trial could conclude within the allocated three weeks. Presiding with Judges O'Hagan and Ryan, Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the trial until Thursday. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prominent republican Thomas Murphy pleads not guilty to tax charges. Charges or matters: tax offences at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

Thomas Murphy

Defendant

Charges: tax offences at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin today (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Prosecuting counsel, Mr Paul Burns SC, said that there had been a lot of disclosure in recent days and he agreed that the trial should be adjourned until Thursday.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
  • Dundalk
  • Dundalk District Court
  • High Court
  • The High Court
Secondary Mention
Residence

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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