Courts / Dublin / Report

Addict broke into home and attacked relatives demanding money for drugs

Summary

Lee Murray, 29, was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment after breaking into his childhood home in Blanchardstown on 2 October 2023. He smashed the front‑door window, entered the house, shouted for money to buy drugs and assaulted his grandfather and his aunt. Murray grabbed his grandfather by the top of his head and forced his aunt upstairs, where he struck her twice on the head with a metal pot. The aunt fell and was injured; she declined hospital treatment and no victim impact statement was made. Murray fled the scene but was re‑arrested 45 minutes later. He pleaded guilty to assaulting his grandfather and assault causing harm to his aunt, with 47 prior convictions including assault and production of an article. The court noted his long‑standing drug addiction and his attempts at rehabilitation. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the custodial term, describing the incident as a shocking experience for the aunt.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Addict broke into home and attacked relatives demanding money for drugs. Charges or matters: assaulting his grandfather and assault causing harm to his aunt at the same address. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 2 Incident
• 2024-07-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Murderer argues he was 'out of control' following Christmas Eve steakhouse shooting
• State drops all charges against double killer Derek Boyd's partner
• Driver who switched off headlights in effort to evade gardai fails in sentence appeal
• Derek Boyd now a double killer as jury finds him of guilty of murder
• Murder accused's previous conviction for manslaughter of sister can only be used if relevant, judge charges jury
• Not a 'shred of evidence' that Derek Boyd's girlfriend knew nature of injury to deceased man, defence tell trial

Read the original CNI report