Garda Lorcan Murphy Jailed After Reckless Assault of Teen

DUBLIN (Azat TV) – Former Garda Lorcan Murphy has been sentenced to one year in prison for a “highly reckless and unjustifiable” assault on a handcuffed, intoxicated teenager in Dublin in June 2021, an incident that resulted in the youth sustaining a fractured skull and brain contusion. The sentencing, handed down by Judge Pauline Codd at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on February 3, 2026, underscores a judicial rejection of excessive force by law enforcement and highlights the severe consequences for officers who violate their duty of care.

The incident unfolded in Dublin’s Temple Bar during Covid-19 restrictions. Murphy, 32, then attached to Pearse Street Garda Station, was convicted last July by a unanimous jury verdict on two counts of assault causing harm under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. The court heard that Murphy executed a “spear tackle” on the then 17-year-old boy, described by witnesses as “skinny, scrawny and light of build,” slamming his head onto the ground with significant force on Essex Street. Witnesses reportedly pleaded with Murphy to release the teenager, with one describing the sound of the victim’s head hitting the ground as “a loud crack like a gun shot.” People also observed the teenager’s head “bobbing and he was very limp.” The assault continued at Pearse Street Garda Station, where Murphy was found to have also pulled the teenager’s hair and applied pressure to his chest.

Judge Condemns “Excessive Force” by Garda

Judge Codd unequivocally condemned Murphy’s actions, stating he used “excessive force” against a “powerless” and compliant victim. She noted that the teenager had “succumbed to the arrest” and posed no threat while lying face down and handcuffed. The judge highlighted that Murphy “lifted him up by the handcuffs, used a spear tackle manoeuvre and dropped him down with force,” leading to a fractured skull and brain contusion, though Consultant Neurosurgeon Mr. John Caird confirmed the victim has since made an “excellent recovery.”

Judge Codd dismissed Murphy’s defense that the “leg sweep” was a legitimate containment technique and the “chest rub” a first aid method, emphasizing that “no circumstances can justify his use of force and the level of force used.” She added that Murphy “could have been facing more serious charges” and that his behavior was “highly reckless and unjustifiable.” The judge also underscored that “there was no such thing as a perfect or ‘whiter than white victim’ and all people must have their dignity and human rights respected by the State and its forces,” as reported by RTÉ News.

Lorcan Murphy Conviction and Professional Fallout

Murphy had pleaded not guilty to the two counts of assault causing harm. However, after a trial in July, a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, explicitly rejecting his account that the force he used was justified. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted that Murphy acted “recklessly rather than intentionally” and that the initial arrest of the victim was justified. Following the trial, Murphy had been suspended since the matter was referred to Fiosrú, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

The sentencing brings an end to Murphy’s career with An Garda Síochána. Judge Codd acknowledged that his career is now “left in tatters” and he has lost his reputation due to his “overzealous and aggressive conduct.” While accepting his entitlement to defend himself, and noting character references from a retired Garda inspector who described him as a “dependable, diligent and conscientious garda,” the judge maintained that his actions were inexcusable. Murphy, who expressed genuine remorse and stated he was under pressure at the time, also wrote a letter of apology to the victim and offered €10,000 in compensation. However, Judge Codd expressed concerns about the “good use of funds” given the victim’s stated addictions and made no order regarding the money, as detailed by Dublin Live.

Victim’s Recovery and Current Status

The victim, who spent three days in hospital, has no memory of the events of that night but has made a full recovery from his physical injuries. Dr. Haroon Khan, who attended to the teenager at Pearse Street Garda Station, had him transferred to hospital after noting his intoxication. The court heard that the victim is currently serving a prison sentence for unrelated matters.

The jailing of former Garda Lorcan Murphy for a year sends a clear signal regarding police accountability and the imperative for law enforcement to adhere strictly to protocols on the use of force, even in challenging situations. Judge Codd’s emphasis on the victim’s vulnerability and the “unjustifiable” nature of Murphy’s actions reinforces the principle that all citizens, regardless of their background or current circumstances, are entitled to respect for their dignity and human rights from state authorities. This verdict, reported by outlets including The Irish Times, highlights the critical role of judicial oversight in maintaining public trust in policing.