Murphy to launch fresh appeal to prevent trial

Prominent republican Thomas "Slab" Murphy is to launch a fresh legal challenge to prevent his trial at the Special Criminal Court for alleged revenue offences.

Mr Murphy (aged 58), from Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is being prosecuted on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau. The nine charges allege that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains to the Collector General or the Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004.