Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy trial hears of cheques paid to livestock marts

The trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin of prominent republican Thomas "Slab" Murphy for alleged tax evasion has heard evidence about transactions relating to the bank account of a man named Thomas Murphy, with an address at Hackballscross, Co Louth.

Cheques drawn from the account were paid to livestock marts, the court heard.

Mr Murphy (66), of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging he failed 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.

Charles McCarthy, former manager of Irish Life & Permanent plc's money laundering reporting service, told the court that, in 2006, records of transactions conducted by Thomas Murphy, Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, were handed over to gardaí.

The court heard evidence in relation to cheques drawn from the account between December 2003 and January 2006, which were paid from the bank account to Elphin, Ballyjamesduff and Kingscourt livestock marts.

Mr McCarthy told Paul Burns SC, prosecuting, the cheques were signed by “T Murphy”.

The court also heard of a series of cheques, with a total value of more than £41,000, paid into the account in 2000. The cheques, made payable to Thomas Murphy, were lodged by Donegal Meat Processors and the Paymaster General.

John Kearney QC, defending, said his client was “not in control” of the account and that the accused’s brother, Patrick Murphy, controlled it.

The trial continues.