Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2716Rape, coercive control, sexual assault, assault causing harm, false imprisonment · Co. Offaly · 8 Feb 2018

Barry Murphy jailed for 14½ years for rape, coercive control and assault of partner

Barry Murphy, 39, of Grogan, Ballycumber, Co Offaly, was sentenced to 15½ years (with the final year suspended) at the Central Criminal Court for raping, coercively controlling, sexually assaulting, assaulting and falsely imprisoning his former partner Lisa O'Meara over a two-year period between 2018 and 2020.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Dec
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMurphy was convicted of coercively controlling his former partner between January 1, 2019 and July 4, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMurphy was convicted of one count of sexually assaulting her in 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMurphy was convicted of three counts of assault causing harm in 2018, 2019 and 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMurphy was acquitted of a further count of false imprisonment. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMs O'Meara escaped to the home of an acquaintance the night after the final rape and sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe waited until Murphy fell asleep before managing to exit the house and get away in a taxi. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBarry Murphy, 39, of Grogan, Ballycumber, Co Offaly, was convicted by a jury of multiple offences against his former partner. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred at locations in Co Offaly, apart from one assault committed abroad on a holiday. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí called to the house in January 2020 after receiving information about concern for her safety, but she was taken out the back and away in a vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was convicted of three counts of raping Ms O'Meara on dates between February 8, 2018 and February 24, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was convicted of coercive control over an 18-month period between January 1, 2019 and July 4, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was convicted of one count of sexually assaulting her in 2020, three counts of assault causing harm in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and one count of falsely imprisoning her in 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMurphy was convicted by a jury after a trial in Tullamore earlier this year. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe sentence was passed by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was acquitted of a further count of false imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP instructed the case fell into the highest category with a headline sentence band of between 15 years and life imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 17 years for the rape offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe coercive control offence warranted a headline sentence of four years. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe assault offences warranted headline sentences of between 3½ and five years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe false imprisonment deserved a headline sentence of six years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sexual assault offences were given a headline sentence of 5½ years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a global sentence of 15½ years with all sentences running concurrently, suspending the last year on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMr Justice Kerida Naidoo set a headline sentence of 17 years for the rape offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe global sentence was 15½ years with all sentences running concurrently, and the last year was suspended on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMurphy has a number of previous convictions for road traffic and public order offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherTestimonials described Murphy as a good father and a successful businessman who provides employment in his locality. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMurphy did not plead guilty, does not accept the jury's verdict, and has not shown any remorse. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMurphy ran his own haulage company of articulated lorries and a car repair business. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Dec2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man guilty of coercive control, rape and assault of partner jailed for 14 years

    Reports the sentencing of Barry Murphy to 15½ years (14½ years with final year suspended) for multiple offences against his former partner, including details of the coercive control, the Gardaí's January 2020 intervention, and the victim's impact statement.

    victim, Lisa O'Meara, female, irish (judged from name)Lisa O'Mearaconvicted, Barry Murphy, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Murphy
  2. 16 Dec2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    ‘You thought you were untouchable’: Man jailed for raping and coercively controlling ex-partner

    Sentencing report: Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed a global sentence of 15½ years (last year suspended) after a jury convicted Murphy at a trial in Tullamore earlier in 2024. Victim Lisa O'Meara waived anonymity and delivered a victim impact statement.

    victim, female, irish (judged from name)convicted, Barry Murphy, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Barry Murphy