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'An unprecedented abuse': Rapist Murray gets 16 further years for death threats against lawyers
Summary
Michael Murray, a convicted rapist, was sentenced to 16 further years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for death threats and harassment. The validated procedural stage is an appeal, though the report details the sentencing following his guilty verdict. Murray, who pleaded not guilty to most charges, was found guilty of threatening barristers Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL, harassing his rape victim, and possessing a mobile phone in prison. He had previously been jailed for 19 years for rape and abduction. Judge O'Connor described his actions as an "unprecedented and deliberate" abuse of process. Murray was excluded from the hearing after throwing a Bible at the judge. The court imposed nine years for the threat to Mr McGinn and seven years for the threat to Mr McGillicuddy. Additional sentences included seven years for harassing the victim, four years each for harassing Mr McGinn and a solicitor, and five years for phone possession. The nine-year and seven-year sentences were ordered to be served consecutively, resulting in an effective operative sentence of 16 years, to be served after his original 19-year term. Murray was also ordered to have no contact with the three harassed individuals for 30 years. No mitigation was presented.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'An unprecedented abuse': Rapist Murray gets 16 further years for death threats against lawyers. Charges or matters: all of these offences; raping, received calls and texts from unknown numbers in January and February of 2015, the court heard. "I was terrified; having the phone in jail before the trial opened. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- November 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2015 Other
- February 2010 Incident
- November 16, 2014 Incident
- January 19, 2015 Other
- July 5, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2014 Other
- 2021-07-29 Publication
Why: The lawful reason was because of how the previous trial was conducted," Murray told his trial when he was called to give evidence in his defence. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: all of these offences; raping, received calls and texts from unknown numbers in January and February of 2015, the court heard. "I was terrified; having the phone in jail before the trial opened (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Murray was jailed in 2013 for 15 years for falsely imprisoning, raping and sexually assaulting a woman at a Dublin apartment in February 2010, and abducting her child. No mitigation has been presented on his behalf… and it is not on this court to invent mitigation." Judge O'Connor sentenced Murray to nine years in prison for the threat to kill Mr McGinn and seven years for the threat to Mr McGillicuddy.
Places mentioned
- Seafield Road
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Midlands Prison
Topics
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