December 2013 Former Cork mayor jailed for 1 year for sexually assaulting girl multiple times A former lord mayor of Cork has been jailed for just one year after he was found guilty last month of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the 1990s while he was a serving councillor. John Murray, 83, of Gregg Road in Cork had denied all six charges. Murray was found guilty on five counts and not guilty of the other charge after a four-day trial. The assaults took place between 1996 and 1998. Murray served as Cork’s lord mayor in 1993 and 1994. Judge Seán Ó Donnabháinn sentenced Murray to four years in prison, suspending the final three years on one count, which he described as more serious. On the four remaining charges, he sentenced him to two years, suspending the final 12 months. Murray, a veteran Labour Party official, served as lord mayor of Cork from 1993/94 and was a representative for Cork at the 1994 World Cup finals in the US. The judge said while he had to take into account Murray’s age, his state of health and that he had no previous convictions, Murray had pleaded not guilty and had shown no remorse. The victim said all she wanted was justice and to be believed. She said she went from a happy, outgoing child to an angry, isolated and withdrawn teenager, who was constantly at odds with everyone. The woman told the judge that because her abuser was a former lord mayor of Cork, and a strong man who intimidated her, she felt scared and worried that she would not be believed. She said it took over 15 years before she realised it was a secret she could not carry any more. The former Lord Mayor remained emotionless as he was led away to begin his sentence. Murray denied sexually assaulting the teen who claimed the abuse happened after he whispered that he would “love to f*** her.” The girl said she was left shocked and frightened by the assaults which happened in Murray’s car, in a pub toilet and at another premises in Cork