Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime

The case against Thomas “Slab” Murphy is based on “utterly ludicrous” documentation which attempts to link the prominent republican to a non-existent farming income, his defence barrister has said.

Prominent republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy made no tax returns over an eight-year period despite his cattle and farm dealings running into hundreds of thousands of euro, prosecutors have claimed.

Two of the most senior RUC officers murdered by the IRA in the Troubles were ambushed following a leak from a Garda station, a damning report has found.

The case against prominent republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy, who is being prosecuted on tax charges, has been put back until March next year.

The case against prominent republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy, who is being prosecuted on tax charges, has been put back for a further two months.

Prominent republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy has lodged a Supreme Court challenge to a ruling that tax charges against him should be dealt with by the non-jury Special Criminal Court rather than the ordinary courts.

Prominent republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy is to launch a Supreme Court challenge to a ruling that tax charges against him should be dealt with by the non-jury Special Criminal Court rather than the ordinary courts.

THREE former IRA members have provided detailed information on the background to the murder of two senior RUC officers more than 20 years ago.

ONE of two senior RUC officers killed by the Provisional IRA in 1989 expressed concern just hours before his murder that a garda based in Dundalk was passing on information to republican paramilitaries.

Prominent republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy is to have his constitutional challenge to prevent his trial in the anti-terrorist Special Criminal Court heard by the High Court in June.

A prominent republican facing tax evasion charges had his case moved back until December today as he continues a long-running battle to stop his trial.

The alleged former leader of the IRA will go on trial for tax evasion in the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

The alleged former leader of the IRA today launched a legal battle to block his trial for tax evasion.

THE IRA stashed away €250 million in “dirty money” through a tiny bureau de change over just three years, broadcaster TV3 will claim tonight.

Alleged former IRA chief Thomas “Slab” Murphy made his second appearance in court on tax evasion charges today.

ARMED gardaí stood guard yesterday as a leading figure in the IRA was accused of tax evasion.

THERE was uncertainty yesterday as to whether alleged IRA boss Thomas “Slab” Murphy is engaged in tax negotiations with the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) through a third party.

Nearly €1m seized by police during dawn raids on the home of former IRA chief-of-staff Thomas “Slab” Murphy in north Co Louth. Ireland has been frozen, it emerged tonight.

FORMER Government troubleshooter Phil Flynn has accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of orchestrating a “concerted media campaign” to criminalise him.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams today stood by alleged former IRA chief Thomas “Slab” Murphy.

THE home of top republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy was searched yesterday as part of a massive security operation to smash a multi-million euro smuggling racket on both sides of the Border.

The home of top republican Thomas “Slab” Murphy was searched today as part of a massive security operation to smash a multimillion-pound smuggling racket on both sides of the Irish border.

More than £140,000 (€204,000) as well as fuel and cigarettes were seized today as part of a huge cross-border police operation against organised crime along the Irish border.

A top republican was at the centre of a massive security operation linked to a major investigation into organised crime on both sides of the border today.

Sinn Féin faces a moment of truth after police chiefs confirmed they believe the IRA carried out the Northern Bank robbery, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said today.

Alleged IRA Chief of Staff Thomas “Slab” Murphy today denied he had any connection with properties in Manchester being probed as part of an investigation into the alleged assets of the republican terrorist group.

The IRA’s future plans will dominate discussions when Bertie Ahern meets Tony Blair today.

Two men whose business was raided by police investigating a UK crime empire linked to alleged IRA godfather Thomas “Slab” Murphy, will protest their innocence today.

EAMON LEAHY, one of the state’s most high-profile barristers, the husband of government chief whip Mary Hanafin and tipped to be a future Attorney General, was yesterday described as one of the finest minds of his generation following his death at the age of 46.