Thursday 29 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. 10701Contempt of court · Co. Meath

Couple appear in High Court over contempt proceedings after Meath home demolition

Michael and Rose Murray, a couple whose home at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath, was built without planning permission, were the subject of contempt of court proceedings brought by Meath County Council, which alleges they did not carry out an undertaking to vacate the property; their lawyer says whether the undertaking was breached is disputed. The home was demolished by the council, and on 23 March 2026 the couple gave evidence under oath at the High Court in Dublin while under garda custody and agreed several undertakings. Judge Richard Humphreys discharged the contempt charge on condition they abide by those undertakings. The costs and motion will return to court on 20 April.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Michael and Rose Murray appeared before a judge over contempt of court proceedings brought by Meath County Council.
Where
The couple's former home stood at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath.
Other details
  • The Murrays were refused planning permission for a dormer bungalow in 2006 and later built a property twice the size of the refused bungalow.
  • Rose Murray said she had lived at the property for about 20 years and left at the end of February.
  • The home was demolished by Meath County Council.
  • Michael Murray claimed the council sent men in balaclavas into his kitchen to remove the family.
  • The court heard of three separate threats against workers demolishing the home, which the council's counsel said were made against workers on the site.
  • The couple's lawyer said the Murrays were outside the country when the threats were made and that any criminality by third parties is not related to his clients, and Michael Murray said the threats did not come from him.
  • A witness said a haulier was threatened that he would be burnt out if he returned to the site, and a haulage contractor received a phone call on 20 March from a man with a Northern Irish accent.
Charges
Meath County Council brought contempt of court proceedings against the couple.
Cause
The council alleges the couple did not carry out their undertaking to vacate the property, while their lawyer says whether the undertaking was breached is disputed.
In court
  • The couple gave evidence under oath at the High Court in Dublin on 23 March 2026 while under garda custody.
  • The couple agreed several undertakings, and Judge Richard Humphreys discharged the contempt charge on condition they abide by them.
  • The judge warned the couple that their liberty was at stake without full cooperation with the court.
  • The costs and motion will return to court on 20 April.
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA couple whose illegally built home was recently demolished appeared before a judge over contempt of court proceedings brought by Meath County Council. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe couple's former home stood at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe home formerly stood at Faughan Hill, Bohermeen, Co Meath. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenA haulage contractor received a phone call on 20 March from a man with a Northern Irish accent. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe council alleged the couple did not carry out their undertaking to vacate the property. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeMeath County Council alleges the couple did not carry out an undertaking to vacate the property. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe couple gave evidence under oath at the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe contempt proceedings were discharged after the couple agreed to several undertakings. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Richard Humphreys discharged the contempt charge on condition the couple abide by their undertakings. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe costs and motion will come back before the court on 20 April. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe couple appeared under garda custody at the High Court in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge warned the couple that their liberty was at stake without full cooperation with the court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge discharged the couple on condition they abide by the undertakings they gave under oath. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe matter of costs and the motion will return to court on 20 April. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe home had been demolished by Meath County Council. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe Murrays were refused planning permission for a dormer bungalow in 2006. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe couple built a property on the site that was twice the size of the refused bungalow. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe couple's solicitor said whether the undertaking was breached is disputed. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMichael Murray claimed the council sent men in balaclavas into his kitchen to remove the family. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe court heard of three separate threats against workers demolishing the home. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMichael Murray said the threats did not come from him. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherRose Murray said she had lived at the property for about 20 years and left at the end of February. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe couple's lawyer said whether the undertaking was breached is disputed. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe couple's lawyer said they were outside the country when the threats were made. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe council's counsel said threats had been made against workers on the site. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherA witness said a haulier was threatened that he would be burnt out if he returned to the site. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Court hears of three separate threats made against workers demolishing illegal Meath home

    Reports the High Court hearing on contempt proceedings against the Murrays, including evidence of threats against demolition workers and the judge's discharge of the order on undertakings. The threats are described as made by unidentified third parties, not the respondents.

    suspect, irish (judged from name)suspect, Rose Murray, named, irish (judged from name)Rose Murray
  2. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    'It was my property': Couple who built mansion without permission in Meath appear in court

    Reports the High Court hearing on 23 March 2026, where the couple gave evidence, undertakings were given, and the contempt charge was discharged. The matter of costs and the motion return to court on 20 April.

    accused, Michael Murray, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murrayaccused, Rose Murray, female, named, irish (judged from name)Rose Murray