SEAMUS MURPHY FROM CROSSMAGLEN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 11-YEAR-OLD BOY IN NEWRY

In January 2021, a man from Crossmaglen, Seamus Murphy, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy over a decade ago. The incident took place in South Armagh, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case.

Seamus Murphy, aged 67, appeared at Newry Crown Court via videolink from his solicitor’s office. The presiding judge, Gordon Kerr QC, ordered Murphy to surrender himself to custody on the following Monday morning. The court heard that Murphy’s actions had caused significant trauma to the young victim, especially considering that the boy was required to testify twice during the trial process. Judge Kerr acknowledged the emotional toll this must have taken on the victim, describing the court process as “traumatising.”

Murphy, whose address is listed as Ballsmill Road in Crossmaglen, was convicted unanimously on two counts of indecent assault. The charges pertained to incidents that occurred between August 2004 and August 2005. The jury was informed that Murphy, who continues to deny any wrongdoing, was responsible for inappropriately touching the 11-year-old victim while in his care. Specifically, Murphy unzipped the boy’s trousers and touched him in a manner deemed inappropriate.

During the trial, the court heard that the victim told Murphy to stop, to which Murphy responded by putting his finger to his lips, signaling for the boy to remain silent. The judge emphasized that although the incident was serious and warranted a jail sentence, it was characterized as a single event and the level of touching was at the lower end of the scale. Nonetheless, Judge Kerr highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that the assault took place in the presence of the boy’s sleeping brother, which constituted a serious breach of trust.

In addition to the prison term, Murphy was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, reflecting the court’s concern over public safety and the protection of children. The sentence underscores the severity with which the judicial system treats cases involving the sexual abuse of minors, especially when the perpetrator is someone in a position of trust within the community.