Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy set to appeal conviction for tax evasion

Prominent republican Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy will move to appeal his conviction for tax evasion later this year.

The 66-year-old of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth had pleaded not guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to nine charges of failing to comply with tax laws .

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

His barrister, Tony McGillicuddy BL, informed the Court of Appeal on Monday that his client’s submissions for his appeal against conviction had yet to be filed but they would be served “shortly”.

Mr McGillicuddy said the case may require two or three days for hearing. There was a substantial amount of documents at trial and he asked the judge to list the appeal for case management next term.

Mr Justice Birmingham listed the matter for May 27th next when a date is expected to be set for hearing.

Murphy was not in court for the procedural matter.

Mr McGillicuddy had told the Court of Appeal on Friday that his instructions would be to seek a priority hearing for the appeal.

However, on that occasion, Mr Justice Birmingham said no such appliction could be acceded to in a situation where submissions had yet to be filed.

Last December, following a 32-day trial, Murphy was found guilty of 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.

The court had heard evidence that the Criminal Assets Bureau’s (Cab) assessment of Murphy’s tax bill is worth €5,344,157 and that from farming income, the issue for which Murphy was tried before the court, he owes €189,964 .

The estimated loss to Revenue is based on the “notional figure” of €15,000 or £15,000 per year profit from Murphy’s farming business, the court had heard.