The Special Criminal Court has ruled that prominent republican Thomas "Slab" Murphy was lawfully returned for trial there on charges connected with alleged revenue offences.
The court made the ruling after Mr Murphy's counsel Mr Michael O' Higgins SC challenged the validity of the order from Dundalk District Court sending him for trial there.
Mr O' Higgins submitted that the return for trial had been amended without proper notice to Mr Murphy's solicitor.
The Special Criminal Court normally deals with terrorist related offences but the Director of Public Prosecutions has the discretion in any case to certify that the ordinary courts are inadequate to deal with it and to send it for trial to the three judge non jury court.
Mr Murphy (58), from Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is being prosecuted on foot of an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau.
The charges allege that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits or gains or the sources of his income, profits or gains to the Collector General or the Inspector of Taxes for the tax years from 1996/97 to 2004.
