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Notorious rapist Murray argues combined 35-year sentence is 'wrong'
Summary
Michael Murray, 54, was convicted in 2021 of making death threats against two barristers and of harassing his rape victim by advertising her online as a prostitute. He had previously been sentenced to 19 years for rape in 2013, a sentence later increased to 19 years by the Court of Appeal. In July 2021, Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a nine‑year sentence for the threat to Dominic McGinn and a seven‑year sentence for the threat to Tony McGillicuddy, to be served consecutively, giving an effective 16‑year term for these offences. The judge also imposed four years for harassment of McGinn and the female defence solicitor and five years for possession of a mobile phone in prison. Murray's barrister, Barry White SC, argued that the totality principle was not applied and that the combined 35‑year sentence was wrong, while the Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel maintained that the consecutive sentences were appropriate and proportionate. Michael Murray pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Notorious rapist Murray argues combined 35-year sentence is 'wrong'. Charges or matters: all of these offences; raping "in the context of re-victimising [her] after such serious and violent offending." Judge O'Connor ordered that the nine-year sentence for the threat to Mr McGinn and seven-year term for harassing his victim be served consecutively to each other, for an effective operative sentence of 16 years imprisonment. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- November 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2015 Other
- February 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-07-29 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: all of these offences; raping "in the context of re-victimising [her] after such serious and violent offending." Judge O'Connor ordered that the nine-year sentence for the threat to Mr McGinn and seven-year term for harassing his victim be served consecutively to each other, for an effective operative sentence of 16 years imprisonment (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; In 2013, Murray was jailed for 15 years for falsely imprisoning, raping and sexually assaulting the woman at a Dublin apartment in February 2010, and abducting her child. The judge sentenced Murray to the maximum seven years for the harassment of the woman he was convicted of raping "in the context of re-victimising [her] after such serious and violent offending." Judge O'Connor ordered that the nine-year sentence for the threat to Mr McGinn and seven-year term for harassing his victim be served consecutively to each other, for an effective operative sentence of 16 years imprisonment.
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