Courts / Louth / Report
No tax paid by Thomas Murphy for nine years, trial of prominent republican hears
Summary
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is ongoing at the Special Criminal Court. The defendant, a prominent republican, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, led by Paul Burns SC, is prosecuting on foot of a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant dealings in cattle and land and receiving farming grants from the Department of Agriculture, Murphy failed to make any returns to Revenue. Evidence from a Revenue Inspector, who cannot be named, was presented to the court. The Inspector stated that in October 2005, he was instructed to investigate Murphy's tax affairs. He examined various documents, including bank details, cattle mart invoices, Department of Agriculture grant cheques, EU Area Aid forms, and documents seized by the CAB from Murphy's and his family's homes. The Inspector concluded that Murphy was involved in the farming business and did not file tax returns from 1996 to 2004, asserting that documentary evidence showed Murphy was a chargeable person who should have furnished returns. Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding over the three-judge, non-jury court, ruled the evidence admissible after defence lawyers raised objections regarding its admissibility. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No tax paid by Thomas Murphy for nine years, trial of prominent republican hears. 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:
- October 2005 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1996 to 2004 Other
- 2015-11-11 Publication
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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