Alleged IRA Chief of Staff’s brother has assets frozen

The Northern Assets Recovery Agency has frozen over one and a half million pounds of property in Manchester, mostly belonging to a couple from Co Louth closely related to a man alleged to be a leading member of the IRA.

The agency claims the assets are the proceeds of money laundering, fuel smuggling and mortgage fraud.

Nine residential properties in Manchester belonging to Francis and Judy Murphy of Ballybinaby, Co Louth, and one property belonging to a Manchester businessman are in the freezing order.

Francis Murphy is a brother of Thomas Slab Murphy, alleged to be the IRA's chief of staff.

The agency told the High Court that Mr and Mrs Murphy built their property portfolio on wealth derived from money laundering and fuel smuggling in Ireland.

The properties include two houses owned by Mrs Murphy plus a further seven properties registered to the couple's property firm.