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. 4373Rape, sexual assault · Co. Dublin

Philip Murphy jailed for 15 years for sexual abuse of half-brother and two girls in Clondalkin

Philip Murphy (45), of no fixed abode, and his brother Michael Murphy (48) were convicted of sexual offences against Philip's half-brother, Thomas Ryan, and two sisters between 1994 and 1998, mainly at the Murphy family home in Clondalkin, Co Dublin, with some offences against Ryan in Cork. Philip Murphy was convicted after a trial at the Central Criminal Court of 15 counts of rape and sexual assault, and Michael Murphy was convicted of one count of rape of one of the girls. Michael Murphy was sentenced to four years, with the final year of a five-year sentence suspended. On 8 December 2025, Philip Murphy, who represented himself at trial and continues to deny the offences, was sentenced to 15 years in prison with 10 years' post-release supervision.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Dec
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Philip Murphy was convicted of 15 counts of rape and sexual assault against three victims.
  • Michael Murphy was convicted of one count of rape of one of the two sisters.
  • Murphy grabbed the younger sister and began abusing her before the older girl complied.
Cause
Murphy threatened the older girl that he would abuse her younger sister and kill her father if she did not comply.
Weapon
On one occasion the older girl got a kitchen knife to protect herself from being raped.
Where
  • The offences took place at the Murphy family home in Clondalkin, west Dublin, and at other locations.
  • Some offences against Thomas Ryan occurred in Cork.
When
Philip Murphy's offending took place between 1994 and 1998, and one count of Michael Murphy's rape occurred on an unknown date in 1993 or 1994 at Lindisfarne Vale, Clondalkin.
Other details
  • Philip Murphy was aged between 13 and 17 at the time of the offending, and Michael Murphy was aged around 16 or 17 at the time of his offence.
  • One victim was aged between six and seven at the time of the offences.
  • Philip Murphy is serving a 10-year sentence for two sex attacks on women in Dublin city centre.
In court
Philip Murphy represented himself at trial and continues to deny the offences.
Sentence
  • Philip Murphy was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to remain under post-release supervision for 10 years.
  • Michael Murphy was sentenced to four years for rape, with the final year of a five-year sentence suspended.
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMurphy grabbed the younger sister and started abusing her before the older girl surrendered (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim was aged between six and seven and Michael Murphy was aged around 16 or 17 (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences took place at the Murphy family home in Clondalkin, west Dublin, and other locations. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereSome offences against Thomas Ryan occurred in Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereOffences took place at locations including the Murphy family home in Clondalkin, Co. Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offending by Philip Murphy occurred between 1994 and 1998 (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponOn one occasion the older girl got a kitchen knife to protect herself (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePhilip Murphy was convicted of 15 counts of rape and sexual assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMichael Murphy was convicted of one count of rape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMurphy was convicted on 15 counts of rape and sexual assault (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMichael Murphy was convicted of rape on an unknown date in 1993 or 1994 at Lindisfarne Vale, Clondalkin (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentencePhilip Murphy was sentenced to 15 years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentencePhilip Murphy was ordered to remain under post-release supervision for 10 years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMichael Murphy was sentenced to four years for rape. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMichael Murphy's five-year sentence had the final year suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMurphy was ordered to remain under post-release supervision for 10 years (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMichael Murphy was sentenced to four years for a single count of rape (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge handed Michael Murphy a five-year sentence but suspended the final year (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPhilip Murphy was aged between 13 and 17 at the time of the offending. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichael Murphy was aged around 16 or 17 at the time of his offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPhilip Murphy represented himself at trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPhilip Murphy has a 10-year sentence for two sex attacks on women in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge said he would have considered a life sentence had Murphy been an adult at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThomas Ryan waived his anonymity so Philip Murphy could be named. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe older sister got a kitchen knife to protect herself from being raped. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMurphy threatened the older girl he would abuse her younger sister and kill her father if she did not comply. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichael Murphy has a history of drug abuse and minor convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPhilip Murphy was of no fixed abode. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge said had Murphy been an adult he would have given serious consideration to a life sentence (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMurphy is serving a 10-year sentence for two random sex attacks on women in Dublin city centre (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichael Murphy had minor convictions and a history of drug abuse (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThomas Ryan waived his anonymity so Murphy could be named (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPhilip Murphy represented himself at trial and continues to deny the offences (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Dec2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    ‘Dangerous predator’ jailed for 15 years for sexual abuse of half-brother and two girls

    Reports the sentencing of Philip Murphy to 15 years and Michael Murphy to four years for sexual offences committed in the 1990s, including details of the offending, the judge's remarks, and post-release supervision conditions.

    convicted, Philip Murphy, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Murphyvictim, Thomas Ryan, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Ryanconvicted, Michael Murphy, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murphyvictim, femalevictim, female
  2. 8 Dec2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    'Most dangerous sexual predator' jailed for repeated rape of his younger brother

    Sentencing details: Philip Murphy received 15 years with 10 years post-release supervision; Michael Murphy received four years (five-year sentence with final year suspended). Judge described Philip Murphy as 'a most dangerous sexual predator' and 'an ongoing danger to society'.

    convicted, Philip Murphy, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Murphyconvicted, Michael Murphy, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Murphyvictim, Thomas Ryan, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Ryanvictim, femalevictim, female