FRANCIS MURPHY OF LURGAN AND PORTADOWN JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a significant case that has resonated deeply within the local communities of Lurgan and Portadown, a man named Francis Murphy has been sentenced to four years in prison for the sexual abuse of a young boy over three decades ago. The incident took place during the mid-1980s, specifically between January 1984 and January 1986, when Murphy was actively making his rounds as a mobile grocer, stopping at the rural family home of his young victim in Portadown.

Murphy, aged 76 at the time of sentencing, was identified by the court as residing at New Line, Lurgan. He pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault against the boy, who was between the ages of 10 and 12 during the period of abuse. The court proceedings revealed that Murphy, who was in a position of trust as a local grocer, exploited this trust by committing sexual acts inside his mobile grocery van while making his routine stops.

During the hearing at Craigavon Crown Court, the victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, delivered a powerful statement describing the sentencing as a “victory for survivors of historical sexual abuse.” He expressed that the length of Murphy’s incarceration does not diminish the profound impact that the abuse had on his life. The victim emphasized that it took over 30 years to come forward and report the crimes to the police, highlighting the importance of justice regardless of the passage of time. “The impact of Murphy’s despicable behaviour was sustained and deeply damaging,” he stated.

He also urged other victims of child abuse to come forward, reassuring them that “it is never too late” to seek justice. The court heard that Murphy’s abuse was not an isolated incident but occurred on approximately 30 occasions, with the victim often receiving sweets from Murphy, which he would then give to his siblings. The victim first confided in his sister about the abuse in 1996, and his mother was subsequently informed. It was only in 2016, after returning to the family home in Portadown where the abuse had taken place, that he decided to report the matter to the police.

Initially, Murphy denied the allegations but later, in March, pleaded guilty to all four charges. The prosecution’s barrister, Ian Tannahill QC, explained that Murphy’s actions had a lasting effect on the victim, who later met his wife and shared his experiences with her. Despite this, he did not report the abuse to authorities until many years later.

In sentencing, Judge Donna McColgan QC acknowledged Murphy’s age and his status as a grandfather, but emphasized that he had abused a vulnerable child during a period when he was trusted by the community. The judge noted that the victim’s impact statement was “poignant and heartfelt,” illustrating the profound and enduring effects of the abuse on his mental and emotional well-being.

While three separate reports on Murphy’s character and life changes indicated that he had attempted to turn his life around, one report identified deficiencies in his empathy towards victims. Consequently, the judge sentenced Murphy to four years in prison, with the final two years to be served on probation, reflecting a balance between punishment and rehabilitation.