JORDAN MURPHY AND SCOTT BROWN SHOCK IRELAND WITH SEXUAL ABUSE AND DRUG THEFT SCANDAL IN ORDER OF MALTA

In a disturbing series of events that have rocked Ireland, particularly involving the Order of Malta, two volunteers, Jordan Murphy and Scott Brown, have been implicated in heinous crimes that have shocked the nation and raised serious questions about the safety and oversight within the organization.

Jordan Murphy, aged 22 and hailing from Ardconagh, Naas in County Kildare, was sentenced in May 2022 to serve five and a half years in prison, with the final two years suspended. His conviction stems from a series of grave offenses, including aiding and abetting the sexual assault of minors and producing child pornography. Murphy’s crimes are intertwined with those of Scott Brown, a 31-year-old who was convicted in April 2022 of multiple charges, including rape, after admitting to abusing two boys in 2018.

The case against Brown was particularly shocking because he was a volunteer paramedic associated with the Order of Malta, a well-respected Catholic lay organization that provides emergency medical services across Ireland. During his time as a volunteer, Brown was undergoing a nursing course and had a placement at a children’s hospital, which granted him authorized access to the organization’s medical supplies, including controlled drugs.

The court heard that Brown, dressed in an Order of Malta uniform during the assaults, used his position to target vulnerable boys. Evidence revealed that he had been filmed by Murphy during one of the attacks, which involved Brown rendering the victims unconscious with a pain-relief drug stolen from the organization’s ambulance supplies. The drug in question was Penthrox, an analgesic used by medical professionals, military personnel, and emergency responders for pain relief in critical situations. It is administered via a device called a green whistle, which the offenders used to force the victims to inhale the drug before assaulting them sexually.

Brown’s criminal activities came to light after the second victim reported the assault, prompting Gardaí (Irish police) to conduct a search of Murphy’s home. During this search, Murphy’s phone was confiscated, revealing evidence of his involvement in the crimes. Murphy, who was only 18 at the time, was found to have been driving the vehicle used during the assaults, with Brown using an oxygen mask to force the victims to inhale the drug.

The court heard that Brown’s use of his volunteer paramedic status was a calculated move to exploit the trust placed in him by the organization and the community. His actions included targeting two boys, whom he drugged and sexually assaulted in 2018. Murphy’s charges included aiding and abetting the assaults, as well as producing child pornography related to the incidents.

Victims’ families expressed their outrage and concern over how Brown was able to access the drugs, which should have been securely stored. One mother questioned how her son’s attacker could have stolen a drug that was supposed to be locked away, emphasizing the potential danger if the drug had reacted differently or if the victim had not regained consciousness.

The investigation revealed that the organization’s drug storage and security protocols were inadequate, raising alarms about access, stock control, and supervision. Following the arrests, the Order of Malta swiftly removed Murphy and Brown from its ambulance services. The organization’s national director initiated an immediate review of all drugs held by its ambulance corps, along with an audit of security and accountability measures.

In response to the scandal, Gardaí have increased vetting procedures within the organization, now conducting more frequent and thorough background checks on volunteers, moving away from the previous three-year cycle. An insider from the Order of Malta described the betrayal of trust by Murphy and Brown as a significant blow to the organization, which has a long-standing history dating back to 1113 and is involved in various humanitarian efforts across Ireland.

Despite the swift actions taken by the organization, the victims and their families continue to grapple with the trauma inflicted by these crimes. One mother, speaking through a victim impact statement, praised the detective team for their diligent work spanning multiple counties, including Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, and Laois. She expressed her anguish over how her son’s trust was exploited by Brown, who used his role to gain access to controlled drugs and commit these horrific acts.

Judge Mr. Justice Paul McDermott described the offenses as egregious breaches of trust, emphasizing that Brown and Murphy exploited their positions to prey on vulnerable children. Brown’s use of his volunteer status to lure victims and their families into a false sense of security was particularly egregious. Murphy, who was remanded in custody, is scheduled for sentencing on May 6.

The Order of Malta, a Catholic organization dedicated to medical aid, first aid training, and community service since 1113, has over 5,000 volunteers across Ireland. Its mission includes assisting those affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters, providing medical aid, caring for refugees, and distributing essential supplies. The recent scandal has cast a shadow over its reputation, prompting urgent internal reviews and increased security measures to prevent such breaches from recurring in the future.