Courts / Louth / Report

"Slab" Murphy tax evasion appeal may be heard in November

Date
2016-05-27
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Louth
County
Louth

Summary

Thomas "Slab" Murphy, 66, was convicted by a non‑jury Special Criminal Court of nine tax‑evasion offences for failing to file returns on income, profits or gains from 1996 to 2004. The court found he owed €189,964 in tax and that the Cab's assessment of his tax bill was €5,344,157. Evidence included a March 2006 search of an outhouse on the border with Northern Ireland, where investigators seized documents, ledgers, cash worth €256,235, £111,185, uncashed cheques worth €579,000, £80,000 and €24,000, and evidence of cattle purchases and sales totalling over €700,000. Murphy's defence claimed his brother Patrick controlled the farming activities. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment on 26 February. In March, his counsel filed a 47‑ground appeal, seeking a provisional hearing in November, and also challenged the sentence's severity. The Court of Appeal set a provisional hearing for 22 November, to be confirmed in June. The unnamed 66-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Slab" Murphy tax evasion appeal may be heard in November. Charges or matters: nine charges of failing to comply with tax laws in the Irish Republic; nine charges of failing 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: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 66-year-old

Appellant

Charges: nine charges of failing to comply with tax laws in the Irish Republic; nine charges of failing 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 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; The three-judge Special Criminal Court found Murphy guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on February 26 last.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal

Topics

Stage Appeal

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