Prominent Republican Thomas Murphy has been found guilty of tax evasion.
The 66-year-old, who lives at Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co. Louth didn'Â’t file returns for his farming activities between 1996 and 2004.
During Thomas “Slab” Murphy’s nine-week trial, the three-judge panel was presented with bank account details, invoices and statements from workers at various cattle marts.
The prosecutionÂ’s case was that heÂ’d significant dealings in relation to cattle and land and received Government grants between 1996 and 2004, but failed to file tax returns during that period.
His defence claimed they went after the wrong person because it was his brother Patrick who managed his farming activities.
They claimed the investigation by Revenue only scratched the surface and one expert told the court there was “strong evidence” he didn'’t sign a number of documents bearing his signature.
The case was prosecuted on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau and the DPP directed that he be tried before the non-jury Special Criminal Court which found him guilty of all nine charges today.
He has been remanded on continuing bail and is due to be sentenced in February.
Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports:
