‘I will kill you’ - Man tells gynaecologist after examination on woman

A father threatened to kill a gynaecologist after he carried out an internal exam on the man's then partner, who was pregnant with twins, in a maternity hospital.

The accused “bizarrely” thought the doctor had molested the woman, Limerick Criminal Circuit Court heard.

“I will find you and I will kill you,” said Nathan Murphy to the gynaecologist.

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 A female consultant and a nurse, who were also present, were “pinned against a wall” by the defendant who was holding a chair in the air.

Mr Murphy, aged 33, of Belfield Court, Farranshone, Limerick city pleaded guilty to one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm at the University Maternity Hospital Limerick.

The accused also picked up a chair as if he was going to strike the doctor with the chair.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Monday afternoon.

Mr O’Sullivan said gardai were on patrol on the Ennis Road at around 1pm on September 22, 2019 when they received a report of a disturbance at the maternity hospital.

“Earlier, the doctor informed a patient of the plan to carry out an internal examination with the attendance of a midwife. Later, the doctor was informed her partner (Mr Murphy) had arrived and was waiting in a room. Security had been alerted. Mr Murphy appeared to be leaning on a chair,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecuting barrister said the doctor, consultant obstetrician and a nurse were in the room with Mr Murphy.

“They outlined the threats made by Mr Murphy, a partner of a woman who was expecting twins. Happily, they were born at a later date. She and Mr Murphy have since parted ways.

“He wanted to know who examined his then partner. He picked up a chair as if to strike the doctor with it. They were pinned against the wall. The consultant said put it down. Mr Murphy said to the doctor, ‘I will find you and I will kill you’. He said this three times,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Mr Murphy was later arrested by gardai and questioned. He told investigating officers that his then partner had walked to his house and was in floods of tears when she arrived.

“He bizarrely thought she had been molested. He said he ‘didn’t mean the threats’. He said, ‘It’s just something we say where I am from’. He said he went back to apologise but was stopped by security,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

An investigating garda said no apology was received. The doctor didn’t give a victim impact statement and was happy for the case to go ahead in his absence.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Murphy has 32 previous convictions including for burglary, theft, criminal damage and numerous road traffic offences.

Eimear Carey BL, who represented Mr Murphy, said her client had completely got the wrong end of the stick and “saw red”.

“He thought his partner had been assaulted. He said he returned to apologise but was barred. 

“He was in the throes of addiction at that particular time,” said Ms Carey.

She said it must have been very frightening for healthcare professionals giving care to expecting mothers.

“He is ashamed and mortified and instructed me to apologise publicly,” said Ms Carey.

The defence barrister said Mr Murphy had undergone residential treatment at Coolmine for his drug and alcohol addiction and now volunteers with the charity.

“He is drug free, back in the community, studying part-time in college and has sole custody of their three children,” said Ms Carey, who handed in a number of testimonials to Judge Colin Daly.

“This happened five years ago. There is a lot of water under the bridge,” said Ms Carey.

Judge Daly said he is going to pass sentence on Monday, January 27.

The judge asked if any arrangements had been made in respect of the children if Mr Murphy is sent to prison.

“No,” said Ms Carey.