Courts / Dublin / Report
'Cry for help' bomb hoaxer avoids jail
Summary
John Murphy, aged 44 and homeless at the time, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to making a false report to emergency services on 16 May 2019. He called emergency services three times, claiming bombs were planted at four locations in Phoenix Park – the big pillar, the cross, the chapel and St Mary's Hospital – and threatened to "blow up all devices". Gardaí investigated for about 40 minutes but found nothing. When officers arrived at his address, Murphy invited them into his bedroom, placed a mobile phone on his bed, and when the phone rang he reacted with shock. The court noted his history of 21 convictions, his homelessness for 11 years, and his recent stable accommodation. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to one year imprisonment, fully suspended on the condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for one year.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Cry for help' bomb hoaxer avoids jail. Charges or matters: making a false report to emergency services on May 16, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 16, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-01-19 Publication
Why: Mr Berry said his client had been assigned a key worker when he was settled in accommodation by Fr Peter McVerry Trust, but that this key worker terminated the programme of assistance after two months because Murphy was doing so well and he did not need the resources. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: making a false report to emergency services on May 16, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced him to one year imprisonment which she suspended in full on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for one year.
Places mentioned
- Phoenix Park
- Buckingham Street
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- St Mary's Hospital
Topics
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