Tuesday, November 21, 2006
£1m of assets frozen
A court has frozen a Manchester property portfolio worth over £1m owned by Francis and Judy Murphy, the brother and sister-in-law of Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, as the Assets Recovery Agency believe it was the proceeds of money-laundering and fuel smuggling. Previously, the Criminal Assets Bureau froze 1m euros in cash, cheques and drafts belonging to the three Murphy brothers and their fuel company (subs reqd).
Fair Deal @ 07:42 PM
Portfolio is an impressive word for what is a small amount of property by todays standards.
Anyone who owns a second house could be said to have a property portfolio worth a million.
Is this all that came out of the high profile raids in Manchester??
The property shown on the News at the time was worth far more than a million.
Posted by on Nov 21, 2006 @ 08:02 PMInstead of this witchunt, General Thomas Slab Murphy should be allowed to retire gracefully.
This is so vindictive and counter productive it makes me wonder if the Brit and Irish govt’s really want closure on the Irish conflict.
Thomas Slab Murphy’s continued support for the peace process is vital, especially as there is real dissent coming from mainstream Irish Republican quarters.
Pulling the tail of the Celtic Tiger, (Tom Slab Murphy) will only provoke a negative response from those loyal and will add nothing to the peace process.
Instead why not “Ride the Celtic Tiger” allowing the peace process to finally put an end to any, I repeat any Irish Republican armed action.
Thomas Slab Murphy should be given another role, that of peacemaker between the dissident Irish Republican groups and mainstream Irish Republicanism, his talents should not be underestimated.
I am sure Bertie Ahearn, Phil Flynn and the CEO of company Harcourt will lobby on behalf of Thomas Slab Murphy, to allow him to retire gracefully, I mean, they have been secret admirers and subserviant minions who have feasted at the Thomas Slab Murphy table of Irish Republicanism historically, so, now that the music is about to stop, make sure Slab has a Chair.
Anything less will be an attempt to “Airbrush” history and be a case of persecution and double standards.
Posted by on Nov 21, 2006 @ 08:24 PMTo save on paperwork, and to demonstrate just how vindictive this really is, and how politically motivated it is also, why not just transfer the names on the title deeds of the properties to Frankie Gallagher.
I am sure there is a case for Mr Gallagher to recieve some payout, but at a time when there is real persecution against the man who represents the “Bedrock” of Irish Republicanism, this really is a case of “Robbing Slab to pay Frankie”
I am afraid the facts in this case point to a “Sectarian Prosecution”
Posted by on Nov 21, 2006 @ 08:39 PMArt Hostage. Sectarian my arse. Stop whinging and claiming religious discrimination because its bollocks (though i give you credit for the cheek of it).
There was deal that the likes of Murphy would be left alone if they stopped getting involved in criminally linked activities and shifted to legitimate business ventures with their money. After the Northern Bank robbery & Robert McCartney’s killing the rules changed.
Murphy is being singled out for two reasons, one he’s a known smuggler & system player an has amassed a fortune through it so therefore represents a perfectly legitmate target for pursuit. Secondly because he is a senior member & legendary figure of the republican movement and the governments wanted to send a message out.
This is how it works. Play by the rules. If you don’t the governments can shit on you from a height. They have a lot of power, they are usually reluctant to use it for the sake of expediency.
This is a relative non-story in a wider political sense but, on a much more serious and substantive note, can someone please get a better photo of Thomas Murphy? Its awful. Surely all those Army cameras have something more recent and flattering, Tom wandering in the back yard with his slippers on, something like that.Henry, once the local estate agents get a look at it, the suggested prices will double.....
Posted by on Nov 21, 2006 @ 09:54 PMAdams Knew
Posted by on Nov 21, 2006 @ 10:50 PMKnew what......how to get the figs into fig- rolls ? Has he forgotten or does he claim it is all British propoganda ?
Posted by on Nov 21, 2006 @ 11:15 PMAgain the Provos claim the role of the perpetual victim.
I find it sickening that anyone can look at Slab Murphy as a victim of sectarianism.
This is immensely powerful man who has had the resources of an illegal organisation behind him. An illegal organisation whose sectarian ‘war’ he has been a central figure in.
It is also absurb to claim that the government or “securocrats” are aiming to disrupt the Provo leadership or the peace process. Check out the Vacuum article by Liam O’Rourke for a finely judged dismissal of this nonsense.
I just hope (against expecation) that justice takes it course, for once.
Posted by on Nov 21, 2006 @ 11:53 PMI just hope that people remember that the MP for Newry & Armagh’s second highest profile press conference to date was in support of this guy.
(The first was to welcome the [now defunct] OTR legislation.)
‘Art Hostage’, shame on you.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 01:27 AMAll we need now is for the DUP to tell us how the guns from South Africa were paid for ??
The transcripts from the former South African agent sent to Ireland to negotiate the paramilitary arms deal might shed a new light on the murky dealings of constitutional poliotics within unionism
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 01:50 AMI don’t think many nationalists/republicans have any moral objection to the smuggling which ocurrs across the border. I don’t anyway.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 02:04 AMThe criminality, Republican or not is still going on on a large scale by these individuals both in rural North Louth and Dundalk centre. Petty criminals in Dundalk have been given more attention by the Gardai than Murphys multi million euro criminal empire. The political will isnt there to close Murphy down, having a brother in law as a senior Fianna Fail TD is probably also quite helpful.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 02:59 AMcahal: I don’t think many nationalists/republicans have any moral objection to the smuggling which ocurrs across the border. I don’t anyway.
So, what is the republican perspective on the separate, dirty, business of fuel laundering, which takes place on both sides of the border?
And once republicans sign up to the process of spending tax money, how can they then object to the collection of tax money?
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 09:45 AMThe comment James Connolly made about Theobald Wolfetone, the Protestant leader of the 1798 rebellion against British rule, “Apostles of freedom are forever crucified while living and sanctified when dead”, applies just as much to the former OC of the South Armagh IRA as it did to Tone and Connolly in their day. Slab Murphy will be remembered and revered long after others are forgotten.
“The genrations shall remember tham and call them blessed”.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 10:31 AMCahal
Thank you for your honesty.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 10:37 AMRoisin
I look forward to sharing a new agreed Northern Ireland with you...bless
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 10:53 AMI understand the porfolios involved exceed ÂŁ30 million not only this ÂŁ1 million..........not bad for a terrorist organisation, I hope the loss hurts them as they hurt others.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 11:12 AMwho’s his brother-in-law Stiofain?
BTW cahal, if you and other republicans have such hostility to the British excise ( and you’ll find a large degree of cross-community support on that)might it not be more principled to patronise legitimate businesses over the border, so that you pay your contribution towards health care, education etc for Irish children, rather than just get a cheap pack of ciggies or tank of red diesel?
roisin is also right. Unfortunately slab murphy will be remembered for a long time, when others have been forgotten- but perhaps in a not dissimilar way to that when we remember Jack the Ripper or Billy the Kid, while forgetting their victims.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 11:25 AMIf what Cahal says is true then this place is in serious trouble. This argument fits perfectly into the worldview of Paisley et al - namely that republicans can’t be trusted with policing. How horribly depressing.
‘Reader’ is right to mention the tax revenue issue and relate it to governmental roles for SF. These obvious contradictions must not be left to anti-agreement unionists to point out, and use for their own agenda. It is up to everyone to highlight the duplicity at play here.
Oh and Roisin - you are so right. Tone would be so proud of the way Slab has acted to united Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 11:29 AMCahal
I don’t think many nationalists/republicans have any moral objection to the smuggling which ocurrs across the border. I don’t anyway.
I agree and when Sinn Fein sign up to policing it’s not going to turn all republicans into spies either.
People use the police when it suits them and when they think something is serious enough.
Anyone here who was ever at a party where dope was smoked and did not call the cops knows what I mean.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 01:23 PMMaybe this was just the Provos doing their bit to regenerate Manchester, to make up for the Arndale Centre bombing.
After all the way capitalism works, money begets more money, investment creates confidence creates more investment, a virtuous circle can be created - look at the way Manchester has been regenerated over the last few years. What does it matter if the money at the start of a chain of investment & regeneration was dodgy?
Also, at what point in time does the Assets Recovery Agency’s remit begin. After how many years do the proceeds of crime become legitimate? I live in Liverpool and if the ARA were to go around the city stripping it of all proceeds of crime, then most of the fine listed buildings we have here would be gone, built as they were on the proceeds of the Slave Trade - surely one of the most heinous crimes in history.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 01:30 PMroisin: “The genrations shall remember tham and call them blessed”.
Before we can start to remember and bless Slab, aren’t you going to have to tell us what he actually did? For instance, would you be prepared to say that he engaged in a 30 year campaign of violence, which failed to achieve a united Ireland, or to unite the people of Ireland, while making himself very rich?
I would remember that, certainly. Would you bless that?
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 03:03 PMI agree with Cahal,
to suggest that we have to pay Mrs Windsor money for moving goods from one part of Creggan parish to the other is laughable.
It reminds me somewhat of my granny taking butter across on the Omeath Ferry, it wasn’t really necessary but it was the right thing to do.
It reminds me also of Ghandi’s (ultimately successful) tactics in India, when he encourages Indians to make their own salt in defience of the British.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 03:03 PMI’ll be looking for the oil wells and refineries in South Armagh next time I’m down there then.
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 03:50 PMThe simple way to stop cross-border activites is to get rid of the border !!
Unify the tax system across the whole island of Ireland then the incentive to smuggle would be withdrawn, South to North.
I am sure the pragmatism of Tom Murphy will shine through if offered the chance to retire gracefully, so to those who say the time for cross-border smuggling has passed, they will welcome the retirement of Tom Murphy.
The whole issue of those who played a Quartermaster role during the conflict should be on the agenda of politicians.
Trying to score political points and appealing to the hang them high brigade does nothing to resolve issues surrounding the use of funds obtained in the black market.
In order to demonstrate equality, why is there not an investigation into the direct funding of Loyalist paramilitaries by the Brit govt?
I am sure there is a simple paper trail that would lead back to senior Loyalist paramilitay leaders if there was a genuine desire to prosecute.
No, the long and short of it is, this is yet another case of headline grabbing to show law enforcement is doing its job.
Unlike other senior figures from both sides of the divide who have the ability to amass funds, Thomas Slab Murphy has never, I repeat never, used any wealth for his own benefit, he does not live an extravagant lifestyle, he does not flaunt his wealth with BMW X5, Rolex watches, diamond rings, designer clothes, expensive foreign holidays, and other vacuous pastimes of the new rich.
Agree or disagree with the aspirations of Thomas Slab Murphy, but all must agree that the sincerety of belief demonstrated by the Murphy family,Tom in partiqular, has been honourable, selfless and for their passionate desire to achieve a united Ireland.
Given the chance I could reach the same conclusion about a similar figure from the Loyalist side and my opinions that they be allowed to retire gracefully would still apply.
From Bertie to Blair, via Adams and Paisley, Murphy and Gallagher, Storey and McDonald, none have clean hands so why single out Thomas Slab Murphy?
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 03:52 PMHi,
When you see comments like these below you really have to smile.
Murphy is safe and well. He will escape with a few million.
Slab is no victim! just a victim maker.
quote"Agree or disagree with the aspirations of Thomas Slab Murphy, but all must agree that the sincerety of belief demonstrated by the Murphy family,Tom in partiqular, has been honourable, selfless and for their passionate desire to achieve a united Ireland.unquote
LOL
http://www.martiningram.blogspot.com
Posted by on Nov 22, 2006 @ 03:58 PM
