Snow prevents 'Slab' Murphy from attending court

Prominent republican Thomas 'Slab' Murphy could not attend the Special Criminal Court today, where he is facing charges for alleged revenue offences, because of the snow.

Lawyers for the 61-year-old, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, are challenging the decision to try him before the three-judge court, which normally deals with terrorist offences.

Today, Murphy's counsel Mr Tony Mc Gillicuddy BL told the court that his client was not present in court because of the adverse weather conditions. He said his client would sign on at a garda station to show his bona fides.

Mr Mc Gillicuddy also told the court that judicial review proceedings challenging the decision to try him in the Special Criminal Court are expected to be given a date for hearing in the High Court next month.

Mr Murphy 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.

He was returned for trial to the Special Criminal Court in 2008 from Dundalk District Court and he challenged the return at the High Court in November 2008. The High Court found that Murphy's rights had been breached but ruled that the trial should go ahead.

Murphy has launched a new High Court bid to prevent his trial. The court remanded Murphy on continuing bail until February 3.