Courts / Mayo / Report
"Take back your life; break the silence": survivor speaks as father is jailed for 18 years
Summary
A man formerly of Foxford, County Mayo, has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the sexual abuse of his daughter throughout her childhood. John Murphy, aged 61, a former member of the Irish Defence Forces, pleaded guilty to rape, indecent assault and sexual assault of his eldest daughter between 1988 and 2001, with a further incident in 2010. The abuse occurred at locations in Counties Galway and Mayo when the complainant was aged between three and fifteen years. Mr Justice Michael White described the offending as characterised by "length, intensity and depravity" and noted the grave breach of trust involved. Murphy is currently serving an eight-year sentence imposed in February for sexual abuse of two younger sisters. The complainant, now aged 33, waived her right to anonymity and read a victim impact statement in court, urging others in similar situations to come forward and break silence surrounding abuse. The sentence was backdated to December 2017.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Take back your life; break the silence": survivor speaks as father is jailed for 18 years. Charges or matters: the rape, indecent assault and sexual assault of his eldest daughter, Ms Sophia Murphy, at locations in Co Galway and Co Mayo on dates between 1988 and 2001; a final incident of sexual assault of Ms Murphy in 2010. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2017 Other
- May 2015 Incident
- October 2016 Incident
- February 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1988 and 2001 Incident
- Christmas day Incident
- 2018-07-20 Publication
Why: She said as she got older, her father would not stop until she had an orgasm and she learned to pretend in order to stop the abuse. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the rape, indecent assault and sexual assault of his eldest daughter, Ms Sophia Murphy, at locations in Co Galway and Co Mayo on dates between 1988 and 2001; a final incident of sexual assault of Ms Murphy in 2010 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Murphy is currently serving an eight-year sentence in Arbour Hill prison for sexual abuse involving Ms Murphy's two younger sisters, imposed last February at Castlebar Circuit Court. Mr Justice White imposed consecutive sentences totalling 18 years, which were backdated to when Murphy went into custody in December 2017.
Places mentioned
- Nephin View
- Foxford
- Central Criminal Court
- Castlebar
- Castlebar Circuit Court
- Arbour Hill prison
Topics
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