Courts / Dublin / Report

Former skating gold medallist described as 'gentle soul' as killer found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity

Date
2023-11-23

Stage
Finding

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Michael Olohan, a former European figure‑skating gold‑medallist, was described as a "gentle soul" by his sister after a jury found Sean Murphy not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Murphy, 29, stabbed Olohan to death in August 2020 while they shared an apartment in a low‑support step‑down centre run by St Vincent's Hospital Mental Health Services in Clontarf. The jury heard that Murphy suffered from a severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) with psychotic features, which led him to believe that killing would prevent him from going to hell and avert a catastrophe. Two psychiatrists testified that Murphy's OCD was acute and that he could not resist the urge to kill. The jury accepted this evidence and returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Justice Mary Ellen Ring remanded Murphy to the Central Mental Hospital for further psychiatric assessment.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former skating gold medallist described as 'gentle soul' as killer found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Charges or matters: the murder of Michael Olohan (35) at the apartment they shared on St Lawrence Road on August 13, 2020. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

August 13, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
December 6 Adjournment
August 2019 Incident
February 2020 Incident
2023-11-23 Publication

Why: " Aged eight to 17 he competed in figure skating and represented Northern Ireland because there was no team in Ireland. CNI source report

Case subjects

Sean Murphy

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Michael Olohan (35) at the apartment they shared on St Lawrence Road on August 13, 2020 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; Following the verdict, Ms Justice Ring remanded Mr Murphy to the Central Mental Hospital CMH to be assessed by a psychiatrist who will come before the court on December 6 to indicate whether Mr Murphy requires further treatment.