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. 5921Murder · Co. Cork · 26 Mar 2022

Man found not guilty by reason of insanity of Carrigaline murder to be detained at CMH

John Murphy jnr, a 43-year-old man, was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder of his younger brother, Shane, aged 27, and the attempted murder of their 75-year-old father, John Aloysius "Weeshie" Murphy, at the family home at Seaview Avenue, Carrigaline, Cork, on March 26th, 2022. Gardaí arrested him in Passage West. In April 2024 a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork returned the verdict, and Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford remanded him to the Central Mental Hospital for a medical report. On May 7th, 2024, the court ordered him returned to the Central Mental Hospital for in-patient treatment, and a psychiatrist recommended six-monthly reviews by the Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted7 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Murphy jnr, aged 43, was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder of his younger brother, Shane, aged 27.
  • He was also found not guilty by reason of insanity of the attempted murder of his father, John Aloysius "Weeshie" Murphy, aged 75.
Where
The attack happened at the family home at Seaview Avenue, Carrigaline, Cork.
When
The attack happened on March 26th, 2022.
Cause
He strangled his father before following him out of the house and stabbing him.
Weapon
He stabbed his father several times and later stabbed his brother multiple times.
Other details
  • Shane suffered nine stab wounds, one of which was fatal.
  • Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Patrick McLaughlin concluded that Murphy continued to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia.
  • The defence psychiatrist said Murphy was in an acute psychotic state at the time of the attack.
Investigation
Gardaí arrested Murphy in Passage West.
In court
  • In April 2024 a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork took less than two hours to find him not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder and attempted murder.
  • Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford remanded him to the Central Mental Hospital to allow a medical report to be prepared.
Sentence
  • On May 7th, 2024, the court ordered Murphy returned to the Central Mental Hospital for in-patient treatment.
  • The psychiatrist recommended that Murphy be reviewed every six months by the Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMurphy was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder of his younger brother, Shane, aged 27. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMurphy was found not guilty by reason of insanity of the attempted murder of his father. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMurphy strangled his father before following him out of the house and stabbing him. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShane suffered nine stab wounds, one of which was fatal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack happened at the family home at Seaview Avenue, Carrigaline, Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack happened on March 26th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponMurphy stabbed his father several times and later stabbed his brother multiple times. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Murphy in Passage West. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury found Murphy not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder and attempted murder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge remanded Murphy to the Central Mental Hospital to allow a medical report to be prepared. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe court ordered Murphy returned to the Central Mental Hospital for in-patient treatment. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe psychiatrist recommended that Murphy be reviewed every six months by the Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA consultant forensic psychiatrist concluded that Murphy continued to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence psychiatrist said Murphy was in an acute psychotic state at the time of the attack. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 May2024
    Acquittedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man acquitted of murder due to insanity to be detained at Central Mental Hospital

    Reports the court order returning John Murphy jnr to the Central Mental Hospital after the not guilty by reason of insanity verdict, with details of the medical evidence and the attack.

    accused, John Murphy jnr, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Murphy jnrvictim, Shane, 27, male, irish (judged from name)Shanevictim, John Aloysius “Weeshie” Murphy, 75, male, irish (judged from name)John Aloysius “Weeshie” Murphy