‘He’s ruthless when it comes to business. Slab has no qualms about anything’

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE farmer and alleged IRA chief Tom ‘Slab’ Murphy’s era as an untouchable may be set to crumble.

Even though police and customs chiefs suspect he has amassed fortunes from sophisticated fuel and cattle smuggling operations, Murphy has never been convicted.

The shadowy businessman, who demands complete loyalty from about 50 men on his payroll, is one of the most enigmatic and powerful figures in the republican movement.