Courts / Louth / Report

Forensic accountant disgrees that 'Slab' Murphy's herd was managed by brother

Date
2015-11-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Louth

County
Louth

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Forensic accountant disgrees that 'Slab' Murphy's herd was managed by brother. 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:

2015-11-04 Publication

Case subjects

Thomas Murphy

Accused

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