Man jailed for 'despicable' attack on 82-year-old Cork woman

Judge Helen Boyle said: 'It never ceases to amaze me the depths to which drugs and alcohol can bring people'

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025 - 16:18

Liam Heylin

An 82-year-old woman who was attacked in Cork as she walked home at night with a friend said it was not just a robbery but a violent shattering of her peace of mind.

The judge described the attack as despicable.

“One moment we were laughing, and the next, I was lying on the pavement, in pain and terrified,” the 82-year-old said in her victim impact statement read on her behalf by Detective Garda Brian Holland who investigated the robbery.

Judge Helen Boyle said to Kelvin Murphy as she jailed him for three years: “You deliberately targeted older ladies. You grabbed her bag and she fell to the ground. This was despicable attack on a vulnerable elderly person.

“It never ceases to amaze me the depths to which drugs and alcohol can bring people.”

Judge Boyle noted the 26-year-old attacker had a longstanding issue with alcohol and experimenting with recreational drugs.

“You say this has been a wake-up call, you expressed remorse and regret for your actions. You are at a high risk of re-offending.

"You wanted to say to the victim how sorry you are, that you were raised to respect your elders and that you would not like this done to your mother or to anyone else. You are ashamed of what you did and you always will be. You have lost respect for yourself. You are going to address your drug use,” the judge noted.

A sentence of three years and eight months was imposed on him with the last eight months suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Kelvin Murphy of 152 Wolfe Tone Street, Gurranabraher, carried out this robbery on March 3 just after 11pm as the injured party was walking home with her friend, aged 75.

Garda testimony

Det. Garda Holland said: “They were walking up Military Hill when the accused crossed the road from the opposite side and walked towards them. He asked them for €2 but they said they only had bank cards.

"He then grabbed the injured party’s handbag and in the process dragged her to the ground causing her to fall onto the road.

“The accused fled on foot down Military Hill on to Wellington Road. Passers-by came on the scene and retrieved the injured party’s handbag from the accused before he made good his escape.

“The injured party had an injury to her upper right leg. An ambulance attended at the scene and gave medical attention. A large quantity of CCTV footage was harvested from the area and Kelvin Murphy was identified.”

The injured party said: “That evening, after a lovely time out with a friend, I was attacked while walking home. I was approached and asked for money. When I declined, I was suddenly and violently dragged to the ground, and my handbag was taken.

"The shock and confusion were overwhelming, it all happened so quickly. Although I'm grateful that my mobility wasn't permanently affected, the pain and discomfort were significant. However, the emotional impact has been even more difficult to overcome.

"Since the attack, I've been afraid to go out alone, even in areas that once felt completely safe. I've lost a sense of freedom and confidence that I used to take for granted. It is deeply unsettling to be targeted so aggressively especially at my age."

She said the experience has left her feeling vulnerable in a way she has never felt before.

"I now avoid going out alone, take extra precautions, and live with a persistent anxiety that it could happen again.

I frequently experience flashbacks, and the memory of that night continues to upset me deeply.

“I hope the court considers not only the crime itself but also the lasting impact it has had on my emotional wellbeing and daily life. What happened to me was not just a robbery — it was a violent act that shattered my sense of safety and peace of mind.

"I strongly believe that no one, especially someone at my stage of life, should have to endure something like this.”