Man who repeatedly raped foster daughter must pay €328,000 in damages
Stephen Murray, a man from Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of rape, two counts of oral rape and one count of sexual assault of his foster daughter Kelly Kemmy, a woman, between February 2009 and December 2015 when she was aged 11 to 18. Murray was jailed for 11 years in 2022. In February 2024, Mr Justice Paul Coffey ruled in favour of Kemmy in her civil claim against Murray, with judgment entered in default of appearance as Murray did not participate. Ms Justice Emily Egan subsequently awarded a total of €578,000 in damages, from which the €250,000 Tusla settlement was deducted, leaving Murray to pay €328,000.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Murray pleaded guilty to 14 counts of rape, two counts of oral rape and one count of sexual assault of his foster daughter.
- It is estimated Kemmy suffered hundreds of separate incidents of rape, occurring three to four times a week over seven years.
- When
- The offending occurred between February 2009 and December 2015, when Kemmy was aged 11 to 18.
- Where
- The abuse took place in Humphreystown, Valleymount, Co Wicklow.
- In court
- Mr Justice Paul Coffey ruled in favour of Kemmy in her civil claim against Murray in February 2024, with judgment entered in default of appearance as Murray did not participate.
- Sentence
- Murray was jailed for 11 years in 2022.
- Ms Justice Emily Egan awarded a total of €578,000 in damages (€450,000 general and €128,000 special), from which the €250,000 Tusla settlement was deducted, leaving €328,000 payable by Murray.
- Other details
- Kemmy's claim against Tusla for negligence in placing her in Murray's care was settled for €250,000.
- Kemmy continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Kemmy waived her right to anonymity following Murray's sentencing.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMurray pleaded guilty to 14 counts of rape, two counts of oral rape and one count of sexual assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt is estimated Kemmy suffered hundreds of separate incidents of rape, occurring three to four times a week. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKemmy continues to suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe €450,000 general damages award is greater than previously awarded for other child sexual abuse cases. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe current upper limit for general damages in personal injuries cases is €550,000. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKemmy has a young child and ambitions of becoming a social worker. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offending occurred between February 2009 and December 2015. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul Coffey ruled in favour of Kemmy in her claim against Murray in February 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMurray did not participate in the civil proceedings and judgment was made against him in default of appearance. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMurray was jailed for 11 years in 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMs Justice Emily Egan ruled Kemmy should receive €328,000 in damages from Murray. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe total award was €578,000 comprising €450,000 in general damages and €128,000 in special damages. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Jul2025Man who repeatedly raped foster daughter must pay her €328,000 in damages, court rules
High Court damages ruling: Ms Justice Emily Egan awarded €328,000 after deducting the €250,000 Tusla settlement from the total €578,000 award. Murray did not participate and judgment was entered in default of appearance. The judge described the abuse as a 'worst case scenario' with hundreds of incidents three to four times a week over seven years.
victim, Kelly Kemmy, 27, female, irish (judged from name)Kelly Kemmyconvicted, Stephen Murray, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Murray