Thomas “Slab” Murphy challenge rejected in tax case

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

Thomas “Slab” Murphy’s challenge was rejected by the Supreme Court, clearing the way for his non-jury trial on nine tax charges.

The five-judge court unanimously rejected his challenge to a 2007 certificate directing the trial before the Special Criminal Court rather than the ordinary courts. Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell said judicial review could examine such decisions only where an accused could advance a substantial case that the process had miscarried.

Murphy faces nine charges of failing to furnish tax returns for the years from 1996-97 to 2004. The report said his challenge relied on legal argument and advanced no facts against the DPP’s decision. The proceedings were reported on 11 March 2014.