The 66-year-old has settled in well at the Midlands Prison, Want the latest political news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox? He will more than likely take it easy in prison. The IRAs South Armagh Brigade were not just a bunch of criminal thugs. Thomas "Slab" Murphy (Irish language: Toms Mac Murchaidh born 26 August 1949 [1]) is believed to be the former Chief of Staff of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Some of these outbuildings and sheds are situated within Northern Ireland but another shed and yard are situated on land within the Republic of Ireland, which open out directly into the Northern Ireland jurisdiction.. Inside Slab Murphy's multi-million euro, cross-border smuggling empire. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Thomas 'Slab' Murphy arrives for his sentencing hearing in Dublin. In December last year, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness praised him for "his invaluable support" for the peace process. Murphy was sentenced in a non-jury court, which normally deals with terrorist and gangland trials. Murphy made a fortune smuggling pigs, grain and cattle, though oil smuggling was the principal source of income and chief money-spinner for the IRA. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The estimated cost of the second libel case alone in legal fees was around 1.5 million. Thomas "Slab" Murphy has denied being an IRA leader, but for years police - on both sides of the border - regarded him as one of the organisation's most senior and influential figures. [13] It was extensively reported in the media that the investigation was aimed at damaging the suspected multi-million-pound empire of Murphy, who according to the BBC's Underworld Rich List, has accumulated up to 40 million through smuggling oil, cigarettes, grain and pigs, as well as through silent or partial ownership in legitimate businesses and in property. Eight years earlier, Murphy had lost a libel action against the Sunday Times after the paper described him as a prominent IRA figure. Murphy, an alleged former IRA "chief of. A 1990 image of Thomas 'Slab' Murphy Like an abandoned ghost town, some of the units still have everyday household items inside. Murphy ran a profitable cross-border trade, first with pigs and cattle and then with fuel and oil. P atrick Murphy, a father-of-five and grandfather-of-10, died at his home in the border town of Hackballscross in Co Louth . [3] This figure has increased since then. Four diesel laundering facilities attached to a major network of storage tanks, some of which were underground, were also found. He said: At the centre of this lot was Thomas Slab Murphy. What detectives from the CAB discovered staggered them there were three black plastic bags in a shed, hidden amongst giant round hay bales. 2,305 Sq. Thomas Slab Murphy (66) of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth arriving at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. A detective garda with CAB said, in another affidavit, that during the March 2006 search of Murphys farm a large amount of cash and cheques were found in black plastic bags hidden in hay bales. Contactos. The original home is surrounded by a yard and sheds which contain oil storage tanks, both mobile and static. Murphy Farms is a single family home subdivision built starting in the mid 2010's. Murphy Farms is located in Burlington, Wisconsin west of Browns Lake Drive northwest of Browns Lake. Brian Lawless / PA Wire / PA Wire. He said: It shouldnt have, but well see.. The judges said they took into account Murphys age, his clean record, that he had been on bail for several years which would have impacted his life and that he had continued to work in steady employment as he awaited trial. Prince Harry's cruel two-word nickname for Camilla which went too far for King Charles, King Charles III was reportedly outraged by a string of Harry's attacks on Queen Consort Camilla in his controversial memoir - and now Harry and Meghan have been "requested to vacate" Frogmore Cottage, Man charged with importing child sex doll and possession of 71 child porn images, Exclusive: Mark Wright is set to go on trial later this year after pleading not guilty, Pub worker is sick and tired of customers asking for 'no ice' as she explains the catch. Adams has described him as a "good. Photograph: Collins Courts Gerry Moriarty And he claimed to have sold his borderland home to pay for his expensive and failed defamation lawsuit. It is now under investigation although it is unsure if this means some or all of the many allegations of 'alleged' smuggling, money laundering, terrorist and other crimes. Beautiful ki. and RollingNews.ie unless otherwise stated. Second, the countryside, framed by blackthorn hedges, was hard going and concealment was nigh impossible. [32], Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, "Ex-IRA chief Thomas 'Slab' Murphy to hand over 1m criminal assets", "Cross-border raid targets alleged IRA chief of staff", "IRA tax dodger Thomas 'Slab' Murphy was 'treated unfairly' by justice system Gerry Adams", "Thomas 'Slab' Murphy sentenced to 18 months' jail for tax offences", "Authorities pursue criminal assets in latest bid to get their man", "Thomas 'Slab' Murphy jailed over tax like Chicago gangster", "Gerry Adams rejects claim he ordered Denis Donaldson killing", "Denis Donaldson's family say Provisional IRA did not kill him", "IRA boss Murphy tipped off ahead of Garda raid", "Murphy denies any links with Manchester firm", "Justice has been done, says First Minister Arlene Foster as Slab Murphy spends his first night in prison", "IRA chief Thomas 'Slab' Murphy quizzed after airborne swoops on frontier", "Gerry Adams had little choice but to stand by 'Slab' Murphy", "Thomas 'Slab' Murphy found guilty of tax evasion by Special Criminal Court", "Court dismisses Thomas 'Slab' Murphy appeal on all grounds", "Convicted tax cheat and alleged former IRA chief serves out remainder of sentence in open prison", "Is 'Slab' Murphy's bloody reign drawing to an end? But he is also alleged to have been one of the most powerful figures within the Provisional IRA. He was tried under anti-terrorist legislation due to the belief by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that there would not be a fair trial because of the potential of the intimidation of prosecution witnesses and jurors, and the security surrounding the trial (in 1999, a man who testified against Murphy in court was bludgeoned to death after a trial).[28]. On 26 February 2016, Murphy was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Thomas 'Slab' Murphy Credit: PA:Press Association He was sent to command the Welsh Guards in South Armagh in 1979 a month after the IRA had murdered Lord Mountbatten on a boat off Sligo and. PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images. Like an abandoned ghost town, some of the units still have everyday household items inside. Thomas Slab Murphy See BBC News : Who is Thomas 'Slab' Murphy? That view was endorsed by Northern Ireland's former First Minister Peter Robinson, who said it would have been "sheer madness" for Murphy to be tried in front of a jury. There have also been repeated assertions that I have amassed properties and wealth. Harry: I always felt different to rest of family, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Mbappe breaks PSG goal record in win over Nantes, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus. Readers like you keep news free for everyone. Balding and heavily built, Murphy has a lolloping gait and an imposing presence. It has been claimed the south Armagh man was, at one time, the organisation's overall commander, its chief of staff. Michael McKevitt and his wife Bernadette were evicted from their home near Dundalk. The IRA's fuel business turned south Armagh into a petrochemical complex, with dozens of small farms transformed into so-called diesel washing plants. The massive security operation was the first major move against the alleged former IRA leader. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Sign up to our FREE newsletter. Manchester United bidders move to the next stage of takeover process', Remo Freuler admits Everton's visit is biggest game of season for Forest. I am satisfied that this structure was put in place for the sole purpose of illegally exporting petrol and derv to Northern Ireland., PA Archive / Press Association Images RTE viewers fascinated by interview with reformed neo-Nazi on Tommy Tiernan Show, Tommy Tiernan viewers were shocked by former fascist Matthew Collins' story but many saw it as a "fascinating insight" into how someone becomes radicalised, Irish lotto results: Unlucky punter is one number off life-changing 2.5 million jackpot, The winning numbers in Saturday night's Lotto were; 3, 4, 8, 40, 41, 44 and the bonus number was 12, Irish drivers face major change to driver's license as new EU update on the way, The European Union are set to introduce a new digital driving license which will be part of a central registration system, Social welfare Ireland: Certain recipients to lose out on weekly 33 payments, The fuel allowance payments are coming to an end in a matter of weeks, RTE Toy Show star Adam King recovering after surgery as Michael Martin sends special tribute, The Tnaiste wished the young boy a "speedy recovery" after he underwent surgery on his legs, Save 400 on your electricity by changing one appliance in your house and it's not the tumble dryer, One of the "biggest" and "most unknown" energy saving tips would be to check how long you've had an appliance, Doctors reveal four things that happen when you die and how you feel as you pass away, Medical experts have weighed in on the physical experience of what it's like for people to die, Lizzie Cundy slams 'dumb and dumber' Matt Hancock after WhatsApp messages exposed, Television personality Lizzie Cundy spoke about Matt Hancock's leaked WhatsApp messages on GB News, branding the former Health Secretary 'stupid' and 'dumb' for handing them over to a journalist, 'My boss was furious I didn't give her my first class seat - but it was my upgrade', The man's boss said he should have followed "protocol" with her being the more "senior" employee - but he thinks she was being "absolutely insane" as he earned the free upgrade using his frequent flyer points, Mrs Brown's Boys to return with four-part miniseries as filming begins soon, The divisive BBC comedy will return in 2023 with filming due to begin in the coming weeks and with the four-part mini-series expected to air before the end of the year, Kylian Mbappe finally achieves PSG goal that forced Real Madrid transfer U-turn, World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe has now scored 201 goals for Paris Saint-Germain since joining the French giants from Monaco - initially on loan - in the summer of 2017, Eerie pictures show empty caravan park mysteriously abandoned by locals. Thomas Murphy stated: "I have been a republican all my life and fully support the peace process. Eamon Collins, who was later murdered near his home in Newry, Co Down, told the jury that Murphy was the most senior IRA man he had met. The National Lottery has today revealed details about the golden ticket. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4788880.stm, The Times - Case of Cpl Ellement, who hanged herself, leads to call for RMP watchdog, Speech: Home Secretary's Defence and Security Lecture, Speech: James Brokenshire Adjournment Debate Speech, Speech: PM and Deputy PM speech on emergency security legislation, News story: G8 Declaration on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, All Internet links/videos/pictures in here ONLY. Hopefully it will be a joint Garda/RUC (PSNI my arrse) op otherwise how can it work? This hose was sufficiently long to enable petrol or derv to be dispensed into a tanker parked in a shed north of the border. As a senior RUC police officer said to me on arrival, and pointing at the map of Slab Murphys farm, This is where everything bad stems from. Garda officers drive fuel tankers from the scene of a major cross border search operation near Crossmaglen in Co Armagh in March 2006. When, in March 2006, there was a series of co-ordinated raids on properties in the UK and Ireland connected to Thomas 'Slab' Murphy - who had been named previously as both the UK's richest smuggler and a former Provisional IRA Chief of Staff - the Sinn Fin president, now Louth TD, Gerry Adams declared, "Tom Murphy is not a Some said at the time that Murphy was the IRAs Chief of Staff; others that he commanded the South Armagh Brigade. However, there is no evidence to support he is sympathetic to any dissident republican groups. He is in general population and is getting on well. In 1990, he sued the Sunday Times which had alleged he was an IRA commander, and had directed an IRA bombing campaign in Britain as well as helped to import tonnes of weapons from Libya. After being jailed for 18 months for tax evasion by the Special Criminal Court, the bachelor farmer and self-confessed republican protested his innocence. If you meet Murphy driving along the road, hell head straight for you and youd be wise to go straight into the ditch. People often remarked to me at the time why we didnt just take him out. In the yards, three tankers and a truck with a fourth tanker concealed inside it were impounded along with an oil laundering unit. Dressed in a pink shirt, brown jacket and slacks, Murphy showed little emotion in the dock as the sentence was delivered. Nearby homes similar to 116 Collin Ct have recently sold between $499K to $700K at an average of $195 per square foot. Sinn Fin President Gerry Adams made a public statement in support of Murphy following the March 2006 raids. "[17], On 9 March 2006, police, soldiers and customs officials from both sides of the Irish border launched a large dawn raid on his house and several other buildings in the border region. This court must and does treat the accused as a farmer and cattle dealer with no other connections, past or present.. [2] His farm straddles County Armagh and County Louth on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Murphy was jailed for 18 months for each of the nine counts of tax evasion, with the terms to run concurrently, meaning he could be eligible for release in a year after automatic remission of 25% is taken into account. Murphy aligned himself with the Provisionals, became an active member of the Provisional IRA and, according to journalist Toby Harnden in his authoritative book Bandit Country (written in 1999): The family farm, which Tom took over after his fathers death in 1968, proved ideal for cross border smuggling, with part of it lying in the north and part of it in the Republic. The source added: Inmates are comparing him to the character of Norman Stanley Fletcher who was played by Ronnie Baker in the show Porridge. "Other inmates have a lot of respect for him and he is seen as a god to many. None of the jail term was suspended. Wire service provided by AFP and Press Association. Affidavits lodged in court by members of the Criminal Assets Bureau following a joint raid involving the garda, customs and PSNI at the Murphy farm on 9 March 2006, give an insight into the problems faced by the authorities in combatting cross-border smuggling. ", China looks at reforms to deepen Xi's control, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Inside the enclave surrounded by pro-Russia forces, 'The nurses wanted me to feel guilty about my abortion, From Afghan TV fame to a US factory floor. [3] In December 2015, Murphy was found guilty on nine counts of tax evasion following a lengthy investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau of the Republic of Ireland. Murphy did not give evidence in the trial. Cree una base de datos de empresas y crguela en formato de Excel. Prominent republican Thomas 'Slab' Murphy has been found guilty of nine charges of tax evasion by the Special Criminal Court. At the retrial, both Sean O'Callaghan and Eamon Collins, former members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, testified against Murphy, as did members of the Garda, Irish customs officials, British Army and local TD Brendan McGahon. The 66-year-old, who was handed an18-month sentence for tax evasion last. The Sunday Times in 1985 reported that Slab Murphy had been appointed the Provisional IRA operations commander for Northern Ireland and had sanctioned a planned bombing campaign of 12 seaside resorts in England which was thwarted when British police arrested the IRA active service unit in Glasgow. There was even a letter from a US student addressed to the Head of the IRA, seeking an interview as part of her thesis. Thomas 'Slab' Murphy arriving for his sentencing hearing at the Special Criminal Court. posts, comments and submissions available. The source said: Here we were searching the home of the alleged former IRA terror lord and smuggling kingpin and we end up helping one of his cows give birth after he had done a bunk.. Between April 1989 and September 2005, 16 seizures and detections of smuggled fuel were linked to individuals known to have been working for the Murphys and Ace Oils. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible I believe as a result of investigations and from confidential information in my possession, the source of which I do not wish to reveal for security and operational reasons, that Tom Murphy has been involved in oil smuggling for many years and this smuggling was carried out from North to South or vice versa depending on the price differential in each jurisdiction at particular times. Thomas 'Slab' Murphy, seen here in the hat, has pleaded not guilty The trial of prominent republican Thomas 'Slab' Murphy for alleged tax evasion has heard that over a period of five. For other inquiries Contact Us. Guthrie said that the border area presented them with a real challenge in their battle with the Provos. One of three brothers Murphy is a lifelong bachelor who lives at his farm in County Louth. The jury at that trial also heard that that two Irish customs officers who called to the Murphy farm in April, 1989 were attacked by Murphy, who threw a concrete block at them. And there were death threats too. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, Alleged former IRA chief of staff Thomas "Slab" Murphy is being treated like a god by fellow inmates since being jailed. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. [27], On 17 December 2015, Murphy was found guilty on nine charges of tax evasion by a three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court trial sitting in Dublin, lasting nine weeks. Toby Harnden's Bandit Country: The IRA & South Armagh also details Murphy's IRA involvement. Read about our approach to external linking. The 66-year-old was found guilty of nine charges at the high-security Dublin court. They added: From the second he was brought to the prison, Murphy has been welcomed with open arms. Sources believe Murphy was tipped off about the raid or may have the seen the huge force of Land Rovers from the North descending on him. Born in August 1949 close to the border in the townland of Ballybinaby in Hackballscross, Co Louth, Murphy is believed to have joined the IRA in the 1960s, before the organisation split into the Provisional and Official wings. Thomas alva edison school - thomas alva edison school. Murphy, from Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, was found to owe the Exchequer taxes, penalties and interest of almost 190,000 for tax dodging from 1996 to 2004. Former IRA leader Thomas 'Slab' Murphy has been transferred to a low-security prison just miles from the border as he enters the final months of his sentence for tax evasion. [8][10], The Sunday Times subsequently published statements given by Adrian Hopkins, the skipper who ferried weapons from Libya to the IRA, to the French authorities who intercepted the fifth and final Eksund shipment. Murphy was involved in smuggling huge stockpiles of weapons from Libya in the 1980s[7] and was a member of the Army Council that decided to end its first ceasefire with the 1996 Docklands bombing in London that killed two men. The farmer, who has no previous convictions and works as a yardsman for a business in Crossmaglen, South Armagh, did not give evidence during the 32-day trial. She says it simply doesn't work like that. Isn't his brother ( in law?) Who is Thomas 'Slab' Murphy? One source told the Irish Mirror: They asked him how the IRA could continue to wage war and kill and injure innocent people. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, The latest Irish and international sports news for readers and members, A platform helping fund the type of in-depth journalism that the public wants to see. Bandit Country devotes a whole chapter to Thomas 'Slab' Murphy and his farm complex that happens to straddle the border, much to the consternation of every British imperialist sent to the area. Follow up investigations uncovered a property portfolio including office blocks, houses, hotels and pubs which was conservatively valued at the time to be worth 100million. Top republican at centre of border raids crackdown. EuroMillions results: Winning Irish ticket location as players urged to check for Fridays prize. [9], On 20 September 2016 the BBC's Spotlight aired a programme in which an alleged British spy who had infiltrated the IRA claimed that in 2006, Murphy had demanded the killing of Denis Donaldson an IRA member and British informer in order to maintain discipline. Something went wrong, please try again later. Murphy, from Hackballscross, Co Louth, was found to owe the Exchequer taxes, penalties and interest of almost 190,000 for tax dodging from 1996 to 2004. [14], A large, purpose-built underground chamber that Garda believe the IRA used for interrogation was discovered close to Murphy's home.[15][16]. Elsewhere in his newly published memoirs, Guthrie spoke of his appointment as Chief of the General Staff a year before the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. Then there were the families from Leicestershire in the UK who had contacted him the IRA had murdered or maimed British soldiers they knew. The current ownership of the park, and the caravans inside, is a mystery. PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie. We informed the PSNI who started to go through a similar shed on the Northern side. [2] His farm straddles County Armagh and County Louth on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The house didnt look like much like something from Ireland in the 1950s and a kip to boot. During the 1990 libel trial the Sunday Times called as a witness Brendan Mc Gahon, then a Fine Gael TD for Louth, who told the jury that he had no doubt that Murphy had links with the IRA. In a statement through a Belfast law firm, he denied links to a multimillion-pound property empire in the UK. According to A Secret History of the IRA by Ed Moloney, Murphy has been the IRA Army Council's chief of staff since 1997. This includes the farm of 'Slab' Murphy being cordened off. "I will resist any temptation to make reference to Al Capone and the style of his conviction," he said after Murphy was convicted. Murphy was behind bars for the first time last night. The source added: We couldnt believe it well over a million euros stuffed in bin liners in a cowshed. On 26 April 2010, he was further remanded on bail. They've got away with too much for too long. Mr Adams also declined to comment on the timing of the sentencing. RTE viewers divided over comedian Emma Dorans appearance on Late Late Show, The comedian Emma Doran had viewers in stitches with some of her risqu stories on Friday's Late Late Show, Woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann says her doctor received bombshell phonecall from mother, The claim was made on an Instagram live with Dr Fia Johansson and Julia Wendell, Ireland snow forecast as Met Eireann pinpoints exact date of serious weather change. Numero de telfono +5719420904. When asked if Thomas "Slab" Murphy was on the list, he replied: "Thomas Murphy was one of the main people on that list. The penalties for Murphys tax offences could have been as much as five years in jail or fines of up to 100,000. Hopkins detailed how Murphy met a named Libyan agent in Greece, paid for the weapons to be imported, and helped unload them when they arrived in Ireland. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. A girl claiming to be missing Madeleine McCann went viral on the internet two weeks ago. The BBC said it had tried to contact Murphy but had received no reply. [30] The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on all grounds in January 2017. In his first-ever press release, issued on 12 October 2005, Murphy denied he owned any property and denied that he had any links with co-accused Cheshire businessman Dermot Craven (Frank Murphy, Thomas' brother, was a client of Cravens). The Provos alleged former chief, 66, vowed to appeal the Special Criminal Court ruling over his 190,000 bill. :3Cience Technology 1 List or Feriodic^lr Indexed A ofI Ch E J Journal of the American Institute essing Can Chem Process Canadian Chemical Proc-Cliemical EiiKineers A ofM Industrial Ind Health A. M.A. Ft. 336 Thomas Dr, Murphy, TX 75094. Prominent republican Thomas "Slab" Murphy has been found guilty of tax evasion. [3], Murphy was allegedly involved with the South Armagh Brigade of the IRA before being elected chief of staff by the IRA Army Council. Sinn Fin leaders have said he was a farmer who helped sow the seeds for the peace process. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies OCallaghan, who worked as a garda informer while also active as a senior Provisional IRA member, told the jury that that he had met Murphy at two meetings of the IRA Army Councils General Headquarters Staff in 1984 and 1985. And Slab is a decent honest farmer who justs wants to spend time with his family!!? Thomas Murphy ( Irish: Toms Mac Murchaidh: born 26 August 1949), [1] also known as Slab, is an Irish republican, believed to be a former Chief of Staff of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. His farm straddles County Armagh and County Louth the border between the Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. "Inexplicably and shockingly he was shot having ordered a pizza, it is unspeakable". Major Irish snow update as Met Eireann forecast worst-hit counties in -3C blast, I tried on the most gorgeous dress at Zara - its perfect for a spring wedding, Today presenters left stunned as woman looks unrecognisable after makeover, Lidl Ireland selling cute 11.99 garden staple & there's different versions, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. In 1998, a Dublin court dismissed Murphy's case after a high-profile trial, during which Murphy stated that he had: "Never been a member of the IRA, no way" and claimed not to know where the Maze prison was. He. Critics have said that would simply not have been possible, because jury members could face intimidation. Good floor plan and layout. In one affidavit a CAB officer said that Tom Murphy inherited the family home and farm from his parents but transferred it into the names of other family members. Field Marshall Charles Guthrie one of the most senior figures in recent British Army history has laid bare his experiences during tours of duty in Northern Ireland. Modelling Forum - Military & non military models, Optical equipment repair and refurbishment as a hobby. Met Eireann says it will be 'very cold' early next week. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Thomas Slab Murphy's farm complex along the South Armagh border, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). The swoop on the Ballybinaby townland was spearheaded by investigators in the Republic's Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) as they cracked down on cross-border smuggling. Evil scum., The strange thing is that he kept them all the letters and cards from grieving relatives and the written threats.. It was one of 100 blank passports stolen from the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1984. He was given 18 months in jail. Murphy was arrested in Dundalk, County Louth on 7 November 2007 by detectives from the Criminal Assets Bureau, on charges relating to alleged revenue offences. And gardai investigating his multi-million euro fuel-laundering and racketeering came across several death threats posted from the UK. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? He owned and controlled the Slab Murphy farm complex straddling the border, south-east of Crossmaglen. ALMOST a decade ago, in March 2006, several hundred police and soldiers raided Thomas 'Slab' Murphy's border farm.