Courts / Dublin / Report
"Career criminal" facing longer sentence for setting fire to home with mother and young child inside
Summary
Robert Murphy, 32, a drug addict, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing a knife, discharging a firearm, and arson. He received an effective sentence of four years imprisonment with five years suspended on 10 October 2014. The Court of Appeal, agreeing with the Director of Public Prosecutions, found the sentence "unduly lenient" and ordered a new sentence to be imposed later. The appeal highlighted that Murphy was found with a flick knife in May 2012, discharged a sawn‑off shotgun at a house door, and set fire to a house occupied by a mother and child. The court noted Murphy's history of 60 convictions, including six for knife possession, and that the suspended periods for the shotgun and arson offences were also deemed unduly lenient. The new sentence will be determined at a future hearing. Robert Murphy pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Career criminal" facing longer sentence for setting fire to home with mother and young child inside. Charges or matters: to possessing a knife in the Fortlawn Park area on May 14 2012, discharging a firearm at a premises in Fortlawn Park on July 7 2012 and arson at Kiltipper Drive, Tallaght on November 27 2013. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 14 2012 Incident
- July 7 2012 Incident
- November 27 2013 Incident
- October 10 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2012 Incident
- 2015-05-12 Publication
Why: Because the court was dealing with separate offences, Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court would impose a new sentence on Murphy at a later date. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: to possessing a knife in the Fortlawn Park area on May 14 2012, discharging a firearm at a premises in Fortlawn Park on July 7 2012 and arson at Kiltipper Drive, Tallaght on November 27 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Desmond Hogan handed Murphy an effective sentence of four years imprisonment with five suspended on October 10 2014. Because the court was dealing with separate offences, Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court would impose a new sentence on Murphy at a later date.
Places mentioned
- Fortlawn Avenue
- Blanchardstown
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Fortlawn Park
- Fortlawn Park
- Kiltipper Drive
- Tallaght
Topics
Related court reports
- Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
- 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
- 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
- Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request