Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy is expected to launch an immediate appeal after his conviction for tax evasion.

The 66-year-old, from Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co. Louth was jailed for 18 months yesterday by the Special Criminal Court.

The 3-judge panel said he'd failed to file tax returns for his farming activities between 1996 and 2004.

An investigation was launched after his farm was raided in 2006 and the court heard he had built up a tax liability of just under €190,000.

Mr. Justice Paul Butler said they took Mr Murphy's age and otherwise clean criminal record into account but felt he had to serve a custodial sentence.