Courts / Dublin / Report

Convicted rapist on trial for making death threats against prosecuting barrister

Date
2021-06-16

Stage
Appeal

Court
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Michael Murray, 50, of Killiney, Dublin, is on appeal regarding charges of making death threats against prosecuting barrister Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL between November 2014 and February 2015. Murray, a convicted rapist, has pleaded not guilty to these allegations, which include leaving threatening messages and posting online advertisements describing the legal professionals as prostitutes. During the trial, evidence emerged that Murray admitted to ordering the murder of Mr McGinn, stating he only did not proceed because he intended to do it himself. He also acknowledged making calls threatening to kill the barristers. Separately, Murray pleaded guilty to possessing a mobile phone without the governor's permission while in custody at Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015. He claimed the device was given to him by his solicitor while he was in hospital. The court heard that prison officers discovered the phone during a search after Murray resisted them. The matter was adjourned, with the trial continuing before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury, expected to last up to four weeks. No final sentence or disposal has been recorded for the guilty plea to the phone possession charge at this procedural stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Convicted rapist on trial for making death threats against prosecuting barrister. Charges or matters: possessing a mobile phone without the permission of the governor while he was in custody at the Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015; possessing a mobile phone without the permission of the governor while he was in custody at the Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015 – a phone he says he was given by his solicitor. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

February 11, 2015 Incident
May 8, 2015 Incident
November 16, 2014 Other
February 9, 2015 Other
2021-06-16 Publication

Why: By Stephen Bourke A convicted rapist on trial for allegedly making death threats told gardaí that he ordered the murder of the barrister who prosecuted him – and said "the only reason he's not dead is because I decided to do it myself", a trial has heard. CNI source report

Case subjects

Michael Murray

Accused

Charges: possessing a mobile phone without the permission of the governor while he was in custody at the Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015; possessing a mobile phone without the permission of the governor while he was in custody at the Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015 – a phone he says he was given by his solicitor (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty