Courts / Cork / Report
Pair who left victim with severe, life-changing injuries have prison term increased
Summary
In 2015, Jamie O'Brien (21) and Eddie Murphy (26) assaulted Mark Lahive at a Cork business park, using an iron bar to severely beat him for about four minutes. The attack left Lahive with life‑changing injuries, including a comminuted skull fracture, multiple limb fractures, and brain bruising that caused weakness in both limbs. Both men pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm, and Murphy also pleaded guilty to robbery. Judge David Riordan originally sentenced Murphy to eight‑and‑a‑half years (18 months suspended) and O'Brien to six years (one year suspended). The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentences were unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal, led by Justice George Birmingham, increased Murphy's term to eight‑and‑a‑half years and O'Brien's to six‑and‑a‑half years, citing the severity of the assault and the need for a more substantial penalty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pair who left victim with severe, life-changing injuries have prison term increased. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm to Mark Lahive at Exchange Business Park, John F Connolly Road, Churchfield in Cork on April 28, 2015; robbery on the same occasion. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 28, 2015 Incident
- November 20, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-03-06 Publication
Why: However, the court imposed sentences of six-and-a-half years on O'Brien and eight and a half years on Murphy because the court took into account the "deep disappointment" of having their sentences increased following an undue leniency appeal. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing serious harm to Mark Lahive at Exchange Business Park, John F Connolly Road, Churchfield in Cork on April 28, 2015; robbery on the same occasion (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge David Riordan sentenced Murphy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended and O'Brien to six years imprisonment with the final year suspended on November 20, 2015. The three-judge Court of Appeal re-sentenced Murphy to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment and O'Brien to six-and-a-half years imprisonment today.
Convicted Person
Charges: assault causing serious harm to Mark Lahive at Exchange Business Park, John F Connolly Road, Churchfield in Cork on April 28, 2015; robbery on the same occasion (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge David Riordan sentenced Murphy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended and O'Brien to six years imprisonment with the final year suspended on November 20, 2015. The three-judge Court of Appeal re-sentenced Murphy to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment and O'Brien to six-and-a-half years imprisonment today.
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Exchange Business Park
- John F Connolly Road
- Kilmore Road
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime
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