Courts / Westmeath / Report

Low level dealer stabbed 16 times and set on fire after ex spread informant rumour

Date
2020-06-30

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Mullingar

Summary

In September 2015 a low‑level drug dealer, Ciarán Murphy (29), was stabbed 16 times and set on fire at his home in Coolcor, Offaly, after his ex‑girlfriend spread a false rumour that he was a Garda informant. Murphy suffered 96 % burns from the neck down, multiple stab wounds including to the heart cavity, and lost both ears. He was treated at Tullamore Regional Hospital and later St James's Hospital, Dublin, undergoing several emergency surgeries and skin grafts. David Keena (21) was remanded in custody after admitting he was present when Shaun Groome (31) stabbed Murphy and poured petrol over him. Keena pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and criminal damage by arson. Groome had been charged with assault causing serious harm in November 2015, but no prosecution has yet taken place. The case was adjourned to 28 July 2020 for sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Low level dealer stabbed 16 times and set on fire after ex spread informant rumour. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 7, 2015 Incident
April 2017 Incident
November 2015 Incident
July 28, 2020 Adjournment
September 2015 Other
June 2016 Other
July 2017 Other
2020-06-30 Publication

Why: He said he will never now be able to afford his own home or car because he is unemployable and described how his relationship with his young son has suffered. CNI source report