Thomas "Slab" Murphy jailed for tax evasion

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

Thomas "Slab" Murphy was jailed for 18 months for tax evasion at the non-jury Special Criminal Court on 26 February 2016. Judge Paul Butler presided in the three-judge court.

He received an 18-month sentence on each of nine counts, with the terms running concurrently. He had been found guilty the previous December. Murphy denied the charges. The proceedings were reported on 26 February 2016.

The charges concerned knowingly and wilfully failing to make tax returns without reasonable excuses during 1996–2004: five counts under the Republic's Taxes Consolidation Act and four under the Finance Act.

The trial heard that his tax bill for the nine years was €38,519.56. Interest on the unpaid bills amounted to €151,445.10, bringing the total owed to €189,964.66.

The court found that Murphy had not furnished Ireland's Revenue authorities with returns of income, profits or gains, or their sources, during the period. It found that he had received €100,000 in farm grants and paid €300,000 to rent land.

Judge Paul Butler said reports of Murphy's republican connections had not influenced the court. He said the court treated Murphy as a farmer and cattle dealer, without regard to any past or present connections.