High Court to hear 'Slab' Murphy trial challenge
A constitutional challenge by republican Thomas 'Slab' Murphy to prevent his trial from going ahead is due to be heard in the High Court today.
The 61-year-old of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth is being prosecuted on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau.
Today's challenge is his second attempt at trying to stop his trial in the non-jury Special Criminal Court on alleged revenue offences.
The court is usually used to deal with terrorism-related offences but the DPP has a discretion to decide if an ordinary court is inadequate to deal with a case.
The prominent Republican is charged with failure 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.
