Courts / Louth / Report
Non-jury court rejects application to dismiss tax charges against "Slab" Murphy
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has rejected the defence application to dismiss tax charges against Thomas Murphy, a 66-year-old from Ballybinaby, Co Louth. Mr Murphy, who 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, is currently on trial before a three-judge non-jury court. The prosecution alleges that despite conducting significant cattle and land dealings and receiving farming grants, Mr Murphy made no returns to Revenue. Defence counsel Tony McGillicuddy BL argued the case constituted an abuse of process, citing a Revenue Inspector's estimate of €15,000 annual farming income, and contended that the prosecution bore the burden of proving the absence of reasonable excuse. Presiding Judge Paul Butler rejected these submissions, stating there was no evidence supporting the abuse of process claim and ruling that the evidential burden regarding reasonable excuse falls on the accused. The court also addressed discrepancies in charge wording, noting earlier years included "knowingly and wilfully" while later years specified "without reasonable excuse." The trial, which stems from a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, was adjourned and is scheduled to resume on Friday.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Non-jury court rejects application to dismiss tax charges against "Slab" Murphy. 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
- 2015-11-25 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
Related court reports
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- Legal first sees miscarriage of justice certificate for IRA membership conviction quashed
- Garda murderer Brady's 'contempt' for trial with secret recording lands him with increased sentence
- Lorry driver who imported €1m in cannabis jailed for five years
- Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
- Aaron Connolly gets date for retrial on Cameron Reilly murder
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request