Courts / Dublin / Report

Convicted rapist found guilty of threatening to kill barristers

Date
2021-07-05
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Michael Murray, 50, was found guilty of making death threats to barristers Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL, and of harassing the rape victim and the barristers by posting her name and phone number in an online ad. The trial, lasting 15 days at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, concluded with a jury of eight men and four women reaching unanimous verdicts on all five counts. Murray claimed he intended to use the threats to bring attention to alleged procedural errors in his 2013 trial, but the court found no lawful excuse. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 29 July. The case highlighted the use of threats and harassment as a tactic to influence legal proceedings, but the jury found no justification for his actions. The trial ended with guilty verdicts and no appeal was considered at that stage. Michael Murray pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Convicted rapist found guilty of threatening to kill barristers. Charges or matters: threatening to kill Dominic McGinn SC and his colleague Tony McGillicuddy BL; raping, received calls and texts from unknown numbers in January and February of 2015, the court heard. "I was terrified; having a mobile phone in custody – a phone given to him by another former solicitor, Joanne Kangley. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

Why: The lawful reason was because of how the previous trial was conducted," Murray said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Michael Murray

Convicted Person

Charges: threatening to kill Dominic McGinn SC and his colleague Tony McGillicuddy BL; raping, received calls and texts from unknown numbers in January and February of 2015, the court heard. "I was terrified; having a mobile phone in custody – a phone given to him by another former solicitor, Joanne Kangley (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; She remanded Murray in custody and adjourned the matter for sentence on July 29, next.; She remanded Murray in custody and adjourned the matter for sentence on July 29, next.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Harassment Stalking Sexual Offences Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Help us improve this report

Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.

Prefer email? Send a correction request.

Request a review

We will use it only to contact you about this request.