Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy
Local republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy has gone on trial at the Special Criminal Court for alleged tax offences.
The 66-year-old, from Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Dundalk, has pleaded not guilty to nine offences of failing to furnish a return of his income, profit or gains or the source of his income, profit or gains to the Revenue Commissioners between 1996/1997 and 2004.
Prosecuting Counsel Paul Burns told the court the role of the Revenue Commissioners in collecting revenue was important for the State and society, to fund schools and hospitals and pay wages and generally fund an effective society.
He said that during the period in question, the court would hear that Mr Murphy had not made any returns to the Revenue Commissioners.
The court would hear evidence of certificates to that effect signed on behalf of the Criminal Assets Bureau.
But Mr Burns said the court would also hear evidence from witnesses that during the same period, Mr Murphy had applied and received a herd number from the Department of Agriculture and had received various grants from the State in relation to the cattle associated with the herd number, totalling more than €100,000.
He said the court would hear evidence that Mr Murphy had also made substantial cash payments in relation to renting land and in relation to silage totalling more than €300,000 and that these payments had been made mostly in cash and third-party cheques.
He said this indicated Mr Murphy had access to a significant source or sources of cash in order to make such payments.
He said the court would also hear of Mr Murphy trading in cattle at various marts and he said the figures involved here were also quite substantial.
The court would hear evidence about certain documents seized during a search of farm outbuildings, he added.
He said when the court had heard evidence in the case, it would be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the guilt of the accused.
Source: RTÉ News.
