Thomas Murphy tax evasion trial heard €100k grant evidence

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Thomas Murphy’s trial for alleged tax evasion at the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin heard evidence from Department of Agriculture witnesses on 8 October 2015. The proceedings were reported on 9 October 2015.

Mr Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, faced nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish returns of his income, profits or gains, or their sources, to the collector general or inspector of taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. He has pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution’s case was that he failed to make returns to Revenue despite receiving agricultural payments and conducting significant dealings in land and cattle.

The court heard that a man named Thomas Murphy, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, received more than €100,000 in farming grants between 1996 and 2004.

Former department employee Gráinne Dalton gave evidence about EU Area Aid applications sent to the department in 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004. She said the forms were signed by Thomas Murphy at that address. Under questioning by defence counsel John Kearney, she could not say for certain that the accused had penned the signatures and could not establish forensically that he had handled the forms. Mr Kearney told the court that the defendant denied any involvement in creating or submitting the documentation.

The trial was continuing, and the report stated no verdict.