Veteran Republican Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax evasion.
According to
RTE News, Murphy has been found guilty on nine counts of failing tax returns between 1996 and 2004, with an estimated value of €190,000 owed to the government.
An investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau, including a raid on the farmer’s home at Ballybinaby, Louth uncovered “black bags with more than €250,000 and £199,000 in cash as well as cheques and documentation relating to the oil industry hidden in bales of hay in an outhouse.”
Other documents included ledgers recording the buying and selling of cattle, as well as a Permanent TSB in Dundalk with a total debit of over €624,000, a total credit of almost €670,000.
It is understood the court ruled that Murphy could not have been ignorant of the need to pay taxes, as he is in business with his brothers, who have made tax returns and settlements with the Revenue Commissioner.
Sentenced at the Special Criminal Court, Murphy’s sentence is set to run for 18 months concurrently.
Despite denying the charges, the court claimed they were ‘satisfied’ that he was farming and dealing in cattle – making him a “chargeable person” for tax.
In a statement issued through his legal team, Murphy revealed plans to appeal the decision:
"
I am an Irish Republican and have been all my life.
"For many years now I have been the subject of serial, prejudicial and wholly inaccurate commentary and media coverage. There have also been repeated assertions that I have amassed properties and wealth. This is utterly untrue. I do not own any property at all and I have no savings.
"Further with regard to my recent trial it was alleged by one broadcaster that 2 people who had given statements to An Garda felt unable to give evidence in court and there was a suggestion of intimidation of these witnesses. This is absolutely untrue. The witnesses did give evidence. The prosecution's legal team did not even allege there was witness intimidation."
"Despite never having been questioned by An Garda Siochana in relation to Revenue matters I was arrested, charged and put on trial in the Special Criminal Court for failing to file tax returns in respect of farming. The case presented against me was that tax returns with an average liability of €4,279 tax per annum should have been filed by me over a 9 year period in relation to farming.
"The evidence called by the prosecution showed that Tax returns were made by family members in respect of the farm,
and that all tax on any profit from farming has been paid.
"I maintain my innocence in respect of these charges which date back 20 years. "Naturally I am very disappointed at the verdict of the court and have instructed my legal team to pursue an appeal immediately."
As well as the current €190,000 he owes for the nine years in this case, CAB has also issued him with a further tax assessment for over €5m.
Image: RTE News/Video 
