Richard Murphy (48) raped the then 16-year-old injured party after coming across her and his son in the garden of the house next door to where he then lived as part of his bail conditions.

He was on bail at the time for other sexual offences involving young girls, for which he has since been convicted and is currently serving a sentence.

Murphy, of Rectory Heights, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford was convicted of rape and oral rape in October 2022 following a Central Criminal Court trial sitting in Waterford in June.

He was on Monday handed a sentence of 11 years and six months consecutive to the sentence he is currently serving.

The court was told that Angelique Schreuder was happy to waive her right to anonymity to allow Murphy to be named in reporting of the case.

Imposing sentence, Ms Justice Karen O’Connor said it was aggravating that Murphy was on bail for sexual offences at the time of this offence. She noted his previous convictions relate to three young girls and include sexual assault and making threats.

Ms Justice O’Connor said the offending here was “of a more serious nature” and represented an “escalation”. She said it was the court’s view that he had demonstrated “predatory behaviour.”

“This man, in the view of this court, is a danger to young girls,” the judge said.

She said it was “egregious how this young girl was treated” and noted that the injured party was “particularly vulnerable” at the time.

The judge said this was a “particularly disturbing case” and that Murphy “behaved in a vile and devious manner in the way he treated this young vulnerable girl”. She noted the injured party’s impact statement referred to Murphy’s “sense of entitlement” in how he treated her that night.

Ms Justice O’Connor said the injured party’s victim impact statement was “very coherent and powerful”.

She noted Ms Schreuder described wanting to rip her skin off and crawl out of her body to get away from the feeling of violation and that what happened continues to impact her life.

The judge said the statement also described the impact on the injured party’s mother and family. She noted the victim’s mother encouraged her to attend counselling, which has helped her.

The judge said there was “limited mitigation” in the case, noting that Murphy does not accept the jury’s verdicts, as is his right.

She said where there is no expression of remorse and the verdict is not accepted, there are “no conditions I can impose which are going to allay concerns of court”.

The judge noted that Murphy is entitled not to acknowledge guilt.

She said the court was aware of his background in training with the GAA and had considered testimonials provided by Murphy’s two adult children and his parents.

Ms Justice O’Connor said the court would impose a consecutive sentence as these offences were committed while Murphy was on bail. She imposed a sentence of 11 years and six months in respect of the rape count and a concurrent eight-year sentence in relation to the count of oral rape.

The judge directed that the sentence of 11 years and six months should be consecutive to the sentence Murphy is currently serving, for which he has an earliest release date in October 2027.

She also extended legal aid in the event of an appeal.

Wishing Ms Schreuder well for the future, Ms Justice O’Connor said: “You are very brave young woman and very courageous. Your mother would be very proud of you. Your sisters and friends are very proud of you.”

The court heard that the injured party and Murphy’s son were socialising at a party and had engaged in consensual sexual activity in the garden of the house.

Murphy arrived and told his son to go inside. He then asked the injured party for details of who her parents were and she made up answers.

She was in a state of partial undress and Murphy did not allow her to pull up her clothing. He told her: “If you let me come in your face, I’m not going to tell your parents.”

He orally raped the injured party, then raped her. There was a shout for him, and Murphy told the injured party not to tell anyone before he left.

[Ireland

Man (53) admits sexually assaulting teenage girl on Dublin bus](https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/man-53-admits-sexually-assaulting-teenage-girl-on-dublin-bus-1928306.html)

She told her friends, and they then left the party. The injured party was very upset, and the judge noted her evidence that she was terrified when she realised she was about to be raped.

Ms Justice O’Connor noted that Murphy’s defence was that he asked the injured party for her details because he was concerned for his son, then left with his son.

The judge noted that evidence during the trial was that Murphy’s son returned to the party alone and that Murphy disappeared for a period of time, with his then-partner looking for him.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.