Ireland Crime

Named as

Victim

Offences

False imprisonment, Production of a baseball bat, Demanding money with menaces

Where

Co. Offaly

Reporting

2 reports, 13 Jun 2025 to 22 Oct 2026

Outlets

irishmirror.ie, offalyexpress.ie

• Ward on appeal against false imprisonment conviction in Tullamore False imprisonment · Co. Offaly

  On 19 February 2022, Callan Ward, 32, lured John Murphy to ride on his motorbike at Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, and when Murphy fell off, Ward demanded €500 for alleged damage, held him against his will, and threatened to break his legs with a steel baseball bat. Murphy's wife, Martina McCarthy-Murphy, was told by phone she had 24 minutes to get the money or her husband would be in Beaumont hospital or a graveyard. Ward was found guilty in his absence of false imprisonment, production of a baseball bat, and demanding money with menaces, and was sentenced to six years at Tullamore Circuit Court in June 2025. In October 2026, Ward is appealing his conviction at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the victim's and his wife's garda statements were inherently unreliable.

  Sentenced, 13 Jun 2025Victim · 2 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 22 Oct2026
   In courtirishmirror.ie, in Ward on appeal against false imprisonment conviction in Tullamore

   Rapist who threatened to break man's legs says victim's statement was unreliable

   victim, Martina McCarthy-Murphy, female, irish (judged from name)Martina McCarthy-Murphy♀IE
2. 13 Jun2025
   Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, in Ward on appeal against false imprisonment conviction in Tullamore

   Six years in jail after court hears of threat to 'kneecap' Offaly man

   victim, Martina McCarthy Murphy, female, irish (judged from name)Martina McCarthy Murphy♀IE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.