'Slab' Murphy disputes court's right to hear case
THOMAS “SLAB” Murphy is challenging in the High Court the constitutionality of a law under which tax charges against him are to be dealt with by the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
Mr Murphy (60), Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is being prosecuted for failing to furnish tax returns for the years from 1996/97 to 2004. The charges were brought in November 2007 following an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau. That prosecution is on hold pending the outcome of review proceedings by Mr Murphy which opened yesterday before Mr Justice Daniel Herbert.