Murphy remanded on bail over assault charge

Former You’re A Star contestant George Murphy was today remanded on continuing bail after appearing in court in connection with an assault charge.

The 19-year-old, from Beaumont in Dublin, came to national prominence when he finished fourth on the RTÉ talent show in 2004 and had a best-selling album last year.

At Dublin District Court today, Garda Ciarán Murrihy of Ballymun Garda Station said he arrested Murphy on December 15 after meeting him by prior arrangement in Ballymun town centre in Dublin.

He was charged at 12.50pm with assault causing harm in relation to an incident on October 29 at the Oldtown Road in Santry.

Gda Murrihy said that Murphy made no reply when the charge was read out to him. A friend of Murphy’s, David Cullen (aged 19) from Artane, was also arrested on the same day in Ballymun and charged with assault causing harm at 9.51pm in relation to the same incident.

Judge Tim Lucey granted Cullen legal aid. “These cases are connected. I think we can remand them to the same date,” he said. He remanded both men on continuing bail and ordered them to appear at Dublin District Court on March 7 at 10.30am to await the DPP’s direction.

Murphy, who appeared in court with spiked hair, a black suit and a navy shirt, left immediately afterwards. He was supported by his manager Darren Smith, who first spotted him while working as one of the three judges on the You’re A Star programme.

“He’s bearing up. He’s not exactly happy about it (the court appearance) but he’s bearing up,” said Mr Smith. He said the young singer’s first album, Dream The Dream, had gone to number one in Ireland and had sold around 55,000 copies in total.

Murphy is currently working on his second album, in conjunction with British producer Mike Hedges, who has worked with the Manic Street Preachers, Dido and U2. “He’s doing a lot of preparation work for the new album. It’ll be out in March or April,” said Mr Smith.