'Slab' Murphy tax case put back until March

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

Thomas Murphy (aged 60) 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.

Mr Murphy, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is challenging the constitutionality of a law under which the tax charges against him are to be dealt with by the Special Criminal Court (SCC) as opposed to the ordinary courts.

He is appealing to the Supreme Court after losing a High Court challenge in November 2011.

Counsel for Mr Murphy, Ms Jane Cassidy BL, this morning told the Special Criminal Court that the Supreme Court appeal had not yet been heard and asked that the matter be put back to a date in March next year.

Mr Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judge Margaret Heneghan and Judge William Hamill, listed the matter for mention again on March 21 next and excused Mr Murphy from attending.