Convict manacled after threatening to attack journalist with razor

A convicted rapist told prison officers he planned to attack a journalist with a razor blade during his sentencing hearing yesterday.

Michael Murray, aged 42, formerly of Killiney Oaks, Killiney, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two counts of sexual assault, two counts of rape with a make-up pen, attempted vaginal and anal rape, oral rape, and aggravated sexual assault between Feb 12 and 13, 2010, in a Dublin City apartment.

He also denied child abduction, threats to kill or cause serious harm, false imprisonment, stealing a bank card, and stealing cash from two ATMs.

He was found guilty last July. After hearing details of the offences and the victim impact report, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy put back his sentencing until next Monday.

Before the hearing began, the court was told that Murray was refusing to come into court with his hands and feet manacled.

An officer from the Prison Service gave evidence that this was necessary because Murray had earlier made a threat to use a blade he had secreted on him. The officer said on his arrival at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Mr Murray told officers he had blades on him. Some blades, which were disposable razor blades broken in two, were found and shown in court.

The officer told the court that Murray claimed he had more blades on him and that he was going to use them and “go for a journalist if he got a chance”.

When Murray was scanned using the prison transportation service metal detector nothing showed up. The prison officer said it was possible Murray had blades secreted in an area that the machine could not detect. He said the blades were “absolutely capable of being used” and that it is not uncommon to see those blades melted into the handle of a toothbrush.

He said: “I would strongly advise, knowing Michael Murray, that he would remain manacled. He can be quite plausible and within a minute he can be quite volatile.”

Anthony Sammon, defending, said his client denied making any threat to any other person. He said Murray did not wish to come to court manacled and that counsel was instructed to remain silent in Murray’s absence.

The hearing continued in Murray’s absence and Det Sgt Dennis Ellard gave evidence of the offences and the victim impact report.