Courts / Louth / Report
Charges against "Slab" Murphy should be dismissed, defence tells non-jury court
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has heard defence submissions in the trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth. Mr Murphy, who pleaded not guilty to 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, is being prosecuted on foot of a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant dealings in cattle and land and receiving farming grants, Mr Murphy failed to make returns to Revenue. Defence counsel Tony McGillicuddy BL submitted to the three-judge, non-jury court that the charges should be dismissed as an abuse of process. He argued that the State has a duty to explore alternatives before prosecuting an indictable matter where the alleged net income is only €15,000 per year, a figure estimated by a Revenue Inspector. The defence also claimed that Mr Murphy's brother managed his cattle herd and farming activities. The matter was adjourned, with the trial set to resume on Tuesday for prosecution submissions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Charges against "Slab" Murphy should be dismissed, defence tells non-jury court. 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:
- 1996 to 2004 Incident
- 2015-11-20 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
- The Special Criminal Court
Topics
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