SIMON MURPHY OF RAMSGRANGE CO WEXFORD: VILLAGE SHOCKED AS SERIAL CHILD ABUSER RETURNS TO WORK IN LOCAL PUB

In a development that has sent shockwaves through the small community of Ramsgrange in County Wexford, Simon Murphy, a man with a deeply disturbing criminal history, has re-entered the workforce at a local pub owned by his wife. This pub, known as The Hollow, is situated in a village renowned for its scenic beauty and proximity to Hook Head, a popular tourist destination. Murphy, aged 59, who previously served a lengthy prison sentence for a series of heinous sexual offenses, has now become a fixture behind the bar, a move that has divided the residents and ignited intense debate within the community.

Murphy’s return to the pub has provoked a mixture of outrage and support. While many locals have boycotted The Hollow, refusing to patronize the establishment out of moral outrage and disgust, a significant number of tourists and holidaymakers remain unaware of Murphy’s dark past. These visitors continue to enjoy the pub’s renowned seafood offerings, oblivious to the fact that the man serving them is one of Ireland’s most notorious sex offenders. Murphy’s criminal record includes a history of abusing his own sister, Nuala Murphy, during a 25-year reign of terror, as well as allegations of abuse involving other victims. Local sources suggest that Murphy was possibly part of a broader paedophile ring, although details remain unconfirmed.

Recently, Murphy was reported to have boasted to an undercover team about how the restaurant was so busy for New Year’s Eve that it was no longer accepting bookings. This brazen attitude has only added to the community’s distress, especially among those who have suffered at his hands. Despite the community’s outrage, supporters of Murphy’s wife, Mary, continue to frequent the pub, disregarding the boycott and causing tensions to escalate within the village.

The re-emergence of Simon Murphy has shocked many residents, particularly given the fact that his wife chose to stand by him and allow him to re-engage with the family business. This decision has deeply upset his victims and their families. One relative of a woman Murphy sexually abused expressed their disgust, stating, “It is disgusting to drive by that pub and know Simon Murphy is behind the bar. He abused young girls over three decades, and I don’t believe for a second that he is reformed or poses no danger to women. It has sickened the majority of the village, but there is a divide because some people still go there.”

Murphy’s criminal history is extensive and well-documented. In June 2006, he made headlines when he appeared before the Supreme Court seeking early release from an eight-year sentence, a bid that was ultimately unsuccessful. Murphy, known locally as ‘Black Simon,’ admitted to 42 counts of sexual abuse involving four young girls, some of which spanned over 25 years. His crimes began in 1969 when he started abusing his sister, Nuala Murphy, at the age of just 10. He was charged with six counts of unlawful carnal knowledge of her. Nuala was also a victim of her brother’s abuse, which she bravely waived her right to anonymity to reveal publicly.

In her testimony, Nuala described how she was sexually assaulted from the age of four by her uncle, Edward Ryan, from New Ross, who was later jailed for eight years. She recounted the trauma of her brother’s abuse, which she endured nightly while sleeping in a bunk bed, with Murphy telling her there was “nothing wrong” with what he was doing. Her account detailed the profound psychological scars left by these experiences, including her turning to alcohol at the age of 12 to cope with her pain. Nuala’s courage in coming forward was driven by her desire to prevent other children from suffering similar abuse.

Murphy’s other victims included a Dublin woman and a girl aged 16 at the time of the assault. He also admitted to seven counts of sexual assault and four counts of unlawful carnal knowledge involving a 13-year-old girl. The abuse spanned over a quarter-century, and local sources believe there were additional victims beyond those officially identified. In 2004, one of Murphy’s victims was awarded €600,000 in damages, a figure later reduced to €350,000 by the Supreme Court. Murphy, displaying a brazen attitude, sought to recover the legal costs associated with fighting the compensation, but his request was denied.

Murphy is a father to two daughters and twin boys. His history of selecting vulnerable girls for abuse and justifying his actions by telling them there was “nothing wrong” with what he was doing has been widely condemned. His sister, Nuala, was disowned by her family after she came forward and fled to the United States at age 22. Her decision to speak out was motivated by her desire to break the cycle of abuse and to ensure her brother’s actions were publicly recognized.

In June 2006, Murphy’s application for early release caused further distress among his victims. His sister, who suffered abuse from him and her uncle, expressed her horror at the news, describing her ongoing trauma. Victim ‘Mary,’ who was just 12 when her abuse began, revealed that she later struggled with depression and even attempted suicide. Murphy’s criminal activities and subsequent imprisonment have been a source of ongoing pain for the victims and their families, who continue to grapple with the legacy of his crimes.

The community’s response to Murphy’s return to work has been mixed. While many residents are appalled and have boycotted the pub, others, including supporters of his wife, continue to frequent the establishment, causing community tensions to rise. The situation remains a deeply troubling chapter in the history of Ramsgrange, with the shadow of Murphy’s crimes casting a long pall over the village’s social fabric.