Courts / Louth / Report
Documents found in shed are "extremely unusual", forensic accountant tells "Slab" Murphy trial
Summary
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.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Documents found in shed are "extremely unusual", forensic accountant tells "Slab" Murphy trial. Charges or matters: 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. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 5th, 2006 Other
- 2015-11-03 Publication
Why: " The accountant said he did not accept it meant Patrick Murphy managed all three herds as one herd, "because proceeds went into the bank account of Thomas Murphy. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: 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 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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