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. 6355False report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else (hoax bomb threat) · Co. Laois · 7 Mar 2021

Man found guilty of hoax bomb threat to Minister Helen McEntee's home

Michael Murray (52) was found guilty by a jury of knowingly making a false report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else. The call claimed explosives had been planted at the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee, and was traced to his prison cell. He was remanded in custody and sentencing was adjourned.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted8 Mar
    3 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael Murray was found guilty of knowingly making a false report giving rise to apprehension for the safety of someone. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAn anonymous caller phoned the Samaritans claiming to be from the INLA and said explosives had been planted at the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMichael Murray was found guilty by a jury of knowingly making a false report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAn anonymous caller phoned the Samaritans claiming to be from the INLA and said explosives had been planted at the home of Justice Minister Helen McEntee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA jury found Michael Murray guilty of knowingly making a false report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatAn anonymous caller phoned the Samaritans claiming to be from the INLA and said explosives had been planted at the home of the Minister for Justice. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereMurray was imprisoned in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe call was made from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe call was made while Murray was imprisoned in Midlands Prison, Portlaoise. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on March 7th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offence is alleged to have occurred on March 7, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe call was made on March 7, 2021. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationA Samaritans supervisor contacted gardaí in Navan, where McEntee lived at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí from Navan were sent to the Minister's house to search for suspicious devices. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí also examined the Department of Justice and found nothing untoward. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMurray was arrested and interviewed by gardaí on March 26th, 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe call was traced to the extension in Murray's cell, using his unique identification number. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe court heard the call to the Samaritans was traced to the extension within Murray's cell. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeMurray had pleaded not guilty to one count of knowingly making a false report giving rise to apprehension for the safety of someone. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury returned its guilty verdict on a Friday after five hours and 10 minutes of deliberation. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Patricia Ryan adjourned the matter for sentencing to the following Friday and remanded Murray in continuing custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury returned its verdict after five hours and 10 minutes of deliberation. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter for sentencing the following Friday. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded Murray in continuing custody. (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned to the following Friday, and Murray was remanded in continuing custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIn interview, Murray agreed he had well-known links to the paramilitary group named in the threat. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMurray denied the allegations against him. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMurray gave evidence at the trial and said the allegation was ludicrous and did not make sense. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherMurray has previous convictions for rape, false imprisonment, sexual assault, child abduction, threats to kill, harassment, theft and armed robbery. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Mar2024
    Convicteddublinlive.ie, first report
    Rapist Michael Murray guilty of bomb threat to Minister Helen McEntee's house

    Reports the jury verdict at the trial of Michael Murray. Sentencing was adjourned to the following Friday, and he was remanded in continuing custody.

    convicted, Michael Murray, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murray
  2. 8 Mar2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Convicted rapist guilty of phoning bomb threat to Justice Minister's house

    Reports the jury verdict of guilty after an eight-day trial and that sentencing was adjourned to the following Friday, with Murray remanded in continuing custody.

    convicted, Michael Murray, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murray
  3. 8 Mar2024
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man accused of hoax bomb threat against Helen McEntee found guilty

    Jury verdict after an eight-day trial. Murray is remanded in custody and sentencing is adjourned to the following Friday. Video of his 2021 arrest and garda interview was played to the jury.

    convicted, Michael Murray, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murrayvictim, Helen McEntee, female, irish (judged from name)Helen McEntee