Courts / Louth / Report
"Slab" Murphy denies any part in farm aid applications, trial hears
Summary
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin is hearing the trial of Thomas "Slab" Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, County Louth, 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. Prosecuting counsel Paul Burns SC alleged that the defendant conducted significant dealings in land and cattle, making payments exceeding €300,000 mostly in cash, yet made no returns to Revenue. The prosecution contends that Murphy received over €100,000 in farming grants from the Department of Agriculture during this period. Evidence from Department of Agriculture officer Niall McKeown confirmed these grant payments to a Thomas Murphy at the defendant's address. Witness Grainne Dalton testified that EU Area Aid applications from 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2004 were signed by a Thomas Murphy at that address. However, defending counsel John Kearney QC challenged the evidence, noting that the witness could not forensically confirm the defendant held the documents or penned the signatures. Kearney stated it is not accepted that the defendant had any part in creating or submitting the documentation. The matter is currently at the trial stage and continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Slab" Murphy denies any part in farm aid applications, trial hears. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 1996 to 2004 Other
- 1999 and 2004 Other
- 2015-10-08 Publication
Why: " "The accused had access to significant sources of cash in order to make such payments," Mr Burns said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Places mentioned
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