Midlands Prison inmate alleges he is charged with threatening to kill Simon Harris and two prison officers
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN who said he is on trial in Dublin charged with threatening to kill Simon Harris was before Portlaoise District Court last week charged with threatening to kill two Prison Officers.
Michael Murray (46) from the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise was charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Chief Seamus Lawlor and to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Assistant Chief Michelle Kennedy on 11 April 2023.
Garda Aoife Laffan said that when the charges were put to the accused, he replied: “There was no threat issued against Michelle Kennedy. I was never interviewed in relation to that.” Judge Susan Fay remanded the accused in custody to the 15 December to appear again in Portlaoise Court by video link.
Mr Murphy’s barrister Andrew Dunne said his client was asking to be produced in person in court on that date so that he can make an application.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said he would be concerned that the book of evidence in the case would not be ready to be served, and no reason to have Mr Murphy produced in court.
Judge Fay said the accused is entitled to make an application but with pressures on the court lists and on the prison services it would be more efficient if the case was conducted by video link.
The accused said that he is “on trail for threatening to kill Simon Harris and all my court cases are transferred to Dublin. No court cases have been heard for me in Portlaoise Circuit Court.” Judge Fay asked that the book of evidence be ready to be served by 19 January.
She went on to remanded Mr Murphy in custody to 15 December, with his consent by video link, and for an application to be submitted on 19 January for a change of venue.
