Ireland Garda Lorcan Murphy jailed for spear tackling handcuffed teenager in Temple Bar
Lorcan Murphy, 32, a garda from Pearse Street Garda station, was sentenced to a three-year prison term (two years suspended) at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm after he spear tackled a handcuffed 17-year-old teenager in Temple Bar, Dublin, in June 2021. Judge Pauline Codd described his conduct as 'highly reckless and unjustifiable.'
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced3 Feb
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe teenager sustained a fracture to the skull and a contusion to the brain but made an excellent recovery. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was intoxicated at the time of the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMurphy had €10,000 in court to offer the victim as a token of remorse, but the judge made no order in relation to it. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim is now in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMurphy wrote a letter of apology to the victim since his conviction. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatLorcan Murphy pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm under section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (irishtimes.com)
- whatConsultant neurosurgeon John Caird gave evidence that the teenager had a skull fracture and a contusion to his brain. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMurphy lifted the teenager up by the handcuffs, used a spear tackle manoeuvre and dropped him down with force. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assaults took place on Essex Street, Dublin 2 and Pearse Street Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe assaults took place on Essex Street, Dublin 2 and at Pearse Street Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assaults occurred on 1 June 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDr Haroon Khan was called to Pearse Street Garda station to see the teenager following his arrest and noted the victim was intoxicated. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMurphy was charged with two counts of assault causing harm under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury convicted Murphy by unanimous verdict at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury unanimously convicted Murphy at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Pauline Codd imposed a three-year prison term with the final two years suspended for two years on strict conditions. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim was 17 at the time of the incident and is now in prison. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim had since made an excellent recovery. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMurphy stated he was under pressure at the time and wished to convey his genuine remorse and sincere regret. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Feb2026‘Highly reckless’: Garda jailed for spear tackling ‘skinny’ teenager during Dublin arrest
Sentencing details: three-year term with two years suspended; judge's comments on excessive force, the spear tackle manoeuvre, and the victim's injuries including a skull fracture and brain contusion.
convicted, Lorcan Murphy, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lorcan Murphyvictim, 17, male - 3 Feb2026Garda who spear tackled 'skinny' handcuffed teen jailed
Sentencing report: Judge Pauline Codd imposed a three-year prison term with the final two years suspended for two years on strict conditions. The jury had convicted Murphy by unanimous verdict in July 2025. The victim, then 17, sustained a skull fracture and brain contusion but made an excellent recovery and is now in prison.
convicted, Lorcan Murphy, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lorcan Murphyvictim, 17, male