Wexford farmer jailed for 10 years

A Wexford single farmer has been given a 10-year sentence by Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins at the Central Criminal Court for orally and anally raping a young male over a number of years.

Alan Murphy (aged 41), of Kinnagh, Ballycullane pleaded guilty to seven sample counts of oral rape, two of anal rape, eight of sexual assault and one of indecent assault on the victim on dates from 1989 to 1999 in Wexford.

Mr Anthony Sammon SC (with Ms Roisin Lacey BL), prosecuting, said the victim wished to have Murphy named in media reports.

Mr Justice O'Higgins imposed nine concurrent terms of 10 years each on the oral and anal rape charges, eight concurrent terms of four-and-a-half years each for sexual assault and one of two years on the indecent assault count.

He certified him for registration as a sex offender and suspended the final two-and-a-half years on strict conditions including that Murphy take part in a sex offenders' treatment course under the supervision of the Probation and Welfare services for six years following his release.

Murphy, who has been under counselling since 2004, pleaded guilty to the sample charges in June 2006 after a jury had been sworn in for his trial.

There were 58 counts on the indictment against him for his trial but after consultations between the prosecution's legal team and defence counsel, Ms Deirdre Murphy SC (with Mr Liam Stafford BL), his guilty plea to the 18 sample counts was accepted.

He had been allowed by Mr Justice O'Higgins to remain on bail pending sentence to facilitate his continuing treatment.