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. 4701Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 1 Jun 2021

Garda Lorcan Murphy convicted of assaulting teenager in Temple Bar

On 1 June 2021, a 17-year-old boy was assaulted on Essex Street, Dublin 2, and at Pearse Street Garda Station. Garda Lorcan Murphy, 32, of Pearse Street Garda Station, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm, but a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found him guilty by unanimous verdict after a trial in July 2025. Sentencing was adjourned to 3 February 2026 so an updated probation report can be prepared, and that adjournment is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted4 Nov
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Garda Lorcan Murphy, 32, was found guilty of assaulting a 17-year-old boy in Temple Bar.
  • Murphy performed a leg sweep on the handcuffed teenager, who could not break his fall.
  • At the station, Murphy pulled the unconscious teenager's head back by the hair and performed a sternum rub.
Where
The assaults took place on Essex Street, Dublin 2, and at Pearse Street Garda Station.
When
The assaults took place on 1 June 2021.
Other details
  • The assaults took place during Covid-19 restrictions.
  • Murphy told investigators he performed the leg sweep, which he said is in the garda manual.
  • The teenager suffered a fractured skull and was unconscious when placed in a garda van.
  • The teenager was in hospital for three days and made a full recovery, but still had headaches and memory loss.
  • Murphy was suspended a week after the incident.
  • Murphy brought €10,000 to court, and the court sought to see whether the victim would accept it as a gesture of remorse.
Investigation
The matter was referred to GSOC by Superintendent Joe Gannon of Pearse Street Garda Station.
Charges
Murphy pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
In court
Murphy was convicted by unanimous jury verdict after a trial in July 2025 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
Sentencing was adjourned to 3 February 2026 for an updated probation report.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLorcan Murphy, a garda, was found guilty of assaulting a teenager in Temple Bar. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMurphy performed a leg sweep on the handcuffed teenager, who could not break his fall. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAt the station, Murphy pulled the unconscious teenager's head back by the hair and performed a sternum rub. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assaults took place on Essex Street, Dublin 2 and at Pearse Street Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assaults took place on 1 June 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe matter was referred to GSOC by Superintendent Joe Gannon of Pearse Street Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMurphy had pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMurphy was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict after a trial the previous July at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned to 3 February 2026 for an updated probation report. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe teenager suffered a fractured skull and was unconscious when placed in a garda van. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMurphy was suspended a week after the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim was in hospital for three days, made a full recovery, but still had headaches and memory loss. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMurphy brought €10,000 to court, and the court sought to see if the victim would accept it as a gesture of remorse. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Nov2025
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Garda to learn fate after found guilty of assaulting teen in Dublin's Temple Bar

    Reports the jury conviction at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the adjournment of sentencing, and details of the assaults as heard in court.

    convicted, Lorcan Murphy, 32, named, irish (judged from name)Lorcan Murphyvictim, 17, male