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. 6300False report (bomb threat) · Co. Dublin

Michael Murray convicted of false bomb threat against Helen McEntee

Michael Murray (52), who was serving sentences in Midlands Prison for rape and threats to kill, was convicted by a jury at Dublin's Circuit Court of phoning the Samaritans from prison and falsely claiming a bomb had been planted at the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. No explosives were found when gardaí searched her home, and the call was traced to Murray's prison cell. The jury reached its verdict on Friday 8 March 2024, and Murray rejected it in evidence. On 15 March 2024 the court heard he faces up to five more years, and the judge adjourned sentencing to Tuesday 19 March to decide whether the new sentence runs consecutively or concurrently.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted15 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A jury at Dublin's Circuit Court convicted Murray of phoning in a false bomb threat from prison to the Samaritans.
When
  • The jury verdict was reached on Friday 8 March 2024.
  • One article places the bomb claim in March 2021.
Where
The caller claimed a bomb had been planted at the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
Investigation
  • The call was traced to Murray's cell in Midlands Prison.
  • No explosives were found after gardaí searched Ms McEntee's home.
In court
  • A jury of eight men and four women reached the verdict.
  • Murray rejected the verdict in evidence but thanked the judge, saying it was one of the fairest trials he had received.
  • Sentencing was adjourned to Tuesday 19 March 2024.
Sentence
  • The judge will decide whether this sentence runs consecutively or concurrently with his existing sentences.
  • Prosecuting counsel said the offence of submitting a false report carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Other details
Murray is due to finish a 19 year sentence for rape and begin a consecutive 16 year sentence for threats to kill; one article describes the 19 year sentence as being for rape and abduction.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA jury convicted Murray on Friday 8 March of phoning in a false bomb threat from prison to the Samaritans. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe caller claimed a bomb had been planted at the home of Helen McEntee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe call was traced to Murray's cell in Midlands Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNo explosives were found after gardaí searched Ms McEntee's home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA jury of eight men and four women reached the verdict. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMurray rejected the verdict in evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned sentencing to Tuesday 19 March. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge wanted to decide whether this sentence should run consecutively or concurrently. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceProsecuting counsel said the offence of submitting a false report carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMurray was serving a 19 year sentence for rape and 16 years for threats to kill. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Mar2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Rapist found guilty of Helen McEntee bomb threat facing 5 more years in prison

    Reports the jury verdict on 8 March 2024, Murray's denial in evidence, the maximum penalty, and the adjournment to 19 March for sentence.

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