John Cornelius Murphy’s theft conviction upheld on appeal

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

John Cornelius Murphy’s four theft convictions were upheld when the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal on 1 March 2019.

The convictions followed the transfer of four charity cheques totalling €18,643 into Murphy’s personal bank account in June and July 2010. The court found there was insufficient evidence to put his claimed honest belief before the jury and held that the trial judge had given proper directions.

Murphy had received a three-year sentence, suspended on terms, after his 2016 conviction. The appeal court found no error in the trial judge’s refusal to direct acquittals or recharge the jury.