Man who pretended to be journalist to extort money from elderly sex offender avoids jail

A man has received a suspended prison sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for extortion offences committed against an elderly victim in Foxrock, Dublin on October 28, 2014. John Murphy, aged 31, of New Ross, County Wexford, pleaded guilty to theft. He and an associate posed as journalists, threatening to publish the victim's photograph in national and local newspapers unless €10,000 was paid. The victim ultimately handed over €1,000. Murphy was arrested during a garda sting operation when he returned to collect additional money. Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced Murphy to three years imprisonment, suspended in full for four years, describing the offence as "particularly mean." The court ordered Murphy to pay €5,050 compensation to the victim and to comply with probation services for two years. Judge Hogan noted Murphy acted as the frontman for a sophisticated operation involving surveillance and videoing of the victim. The defence submitted Murphy lacked sophistication and was acting for others who orchestrated the offence.