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. 6297False report (false bomb threat) · Co. Laois

Man convicted of false bomb threat against Justice Minister Helen McEntee awaits sentence

Michael Murray, a 52-year-old man, phoned a false bomb threat from prison to the Samaritans, claiming a bomb had been planted at the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee in March 2021. The call was traced to his cell in Midlands Prison in Laois. A jury convicted Murray the previous Friday, as reported on 16 March 2024, and he told the court he rejected the verdict. The judge adjourned the matter to Tuesday for sentence, and the offence carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted16 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Murray was convicted by a jury of phoning a false bomb threat from prison to the Samaritans.
  • The threat claimed a bomb had been planted at the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
When
The threat referred to a bomb planted at Ms McEntee's home in March 2021.
Where
The call was traced to Murray's cell in Midlands Prison.
Cause
The caller claimed to be from the National Liberation Army.
Investigation
  • No explosives were found after gardaí searched Ms McEntee's home.
  • Murray told gardaí that a group called the Criminal Revenge Group was behind the threat.
Charges
A jury convicted Murray of the false bomb threat offence the Friday before the report on 16 March 2024.
In court
  • Murray rejected the jury's verdict but said it was the fairest trial he had ever had.
  • The offence of submitting a false report carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Sentence
The judge adjourned the matter to Tuesday for sentence.
Other details
Murray is due to finish a 19-year sentence for rape and abduction before starting a consecutive 16-year sentence for threats to kill.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMurray was convicted by a jury of phoning a false bomb threat from prison to the Samaritans. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe threat claimed a bomb had been planted at Helen McEntee's home in March 2021. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe call was traced to Murray's cell in Midlands Prison. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeThe caller claimed to be from the Irish National Liberation Army. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationNo explosives were found after gardaí searched Ms McEntee's home. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtMurray rejected the jury's verdict. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe offence of submitting a false report carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge adjourned the matter to Tuesday for sentence. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherMurray is due to finish a 19-year sentence for rape and abduction before starting a consecutive 16-year sentence for threats to kill. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherMurray told gardaí that a group called the Criminal Revenge Group was behind the threat. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Mar2024
    Convicteddublinlive.ie, first report
    Rapist found guilty of McEntee bomb threat faces up to five more years in prison

    Reports the jury conviction, the maximum five-year penalty, the adjournment for sentence, and Murray's statements in court and to gardaí.

    convicted, Michael Murray, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murray