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Thomas 'Slab' Murphy trial told of cattle trading

Thomas "Slab" Murphy
Thomas "Slab" Murphy Thomas "Slab" Murphy

THE trial of senior republican Thomas "Slab" Murphy for alleged tax evasion has heard that over a period of five years a man named Thomas Murphy traded in cattle worth over €370,000 at livestock.

It is alleged Mr Murphy conducted significant dealings in relation to cattle and land and received farming grants from the Department of Agriculture, but failed to make any returns to revenue.

Mr Murphy (66), of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains or the source of his income, profits or gains to the Collector General or the Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004.

Mr Murphy is being prosecuted on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau.

The Special Criminal Court no jury trial heard evidence on Friday from three cattle mart employees who said they provided Gardai with documentation, including invoices, in relation to business conducted by a man named Thomas Murphy with an address at Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth.

Peter O'Reilly, former office manager at Carnaross Mart, County Meath, told the court that documents he provided to Gardai are a "summary of purchases transacted for Thomas Murphy" between June 2004 and December 2005.

Mr O'Reilly told Paul Burns SC, prosecuting, that the total value of the purchases was €69,150.

Patricia Reilly, office administrator at Ballyjamesduff Cattle Mart, County Cavan, told the court that, from 2000 to 2004, Thomas Murphy purchased cattle with a total value of more than €200,000.

The cattle were paid for both in cash and by cheque, she told the court.

Ms Reilly agreed with John Kearney QC, defending, that it is "not unusual" for someone to buy cattle on behalf of a herd number.

A herd number is issued by the Department of Agriculture to farmers in order to register cattle, the court has previously heard.

The court has also previously heard evidence that a man named Thomas Murphy, with an address at Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, applied for a herd number in 1991.

Gerry Connellan, manager at Elphin Co-op Livestock Mart, Co Roscommon, told the trial that, from 1999 to 2004, Thomas Murphy bought cattle worth €98,000.

The trial continues.