Courts / Wicklow / Report
Ex-surf instructor bombarded family with hundreds of 'abusive, violent and distressing' messages
Summary
Kevin Murphy, 28, of Bray, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of harassment and one count of making a threat to kill between July 2021 and July 2022. He sent 200 abusive, violent and distressing messages to a family, including graphic sexual texts, threats to kill, and insults. The victim was a 16‑year‑old girl who had been his surfing student; her mother also received harassing messages. Murphy's communications included threats to "clip their car" and to kill the boyfriend of a family member. He was initially detained in February 2022, later arrested again, and admitted to some of the messages. Garda Rachel Corcoran and counsel noted that his behaviour occurred during an episode of psychosis and that he had voluntarily committed himself to hospital for four weeks in March 2022. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two and a half years in prison, suspended in full, and imposed a 15‑year no‑contact order with the injured parties.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-surf instructor bombarded family with hundreds of 'abusive, violent and distressing' messages. Charges or matters: multiple counts of harassment and one count of making a threat to kill on dates between July 2021 and July 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2022 Incident
- March 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-02-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: multiple counts of harassment and one count of making a threat to kill on dates between July 2021 and July 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said it appeared that at a certain point, Murphy became psychotic and had episodes of psychosis. He sentenced Murphy to two and a half years in prison but suspended it in full under strict conditions.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- 'Alternative dispute resolution': man arranged 'straightener' during which dad-of-seven was stabbed to death
- Murder accused pleads guilty to violent disorder at playground
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
- State defends use of social media photos in Bray Boxing Club shooter's trial
- Facebook photos of Bray Boxing Club shooter with gun prejudiced his jury, barrister claims
- Suspended sentence for sex assault on girl (6)
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request