Latest news with #Charleen
Dublin Live
22-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Charleen Murphy told 'you're not a real victim' after brutal restaurant attack
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Social media star Charleen Murphy has admitted she is "scared for the younger generation" as she opens up about being whacked in the head in a horror restaurant attack. The influencer was attacked in a Dublin restaurant two years ago by a man who had been repeatedly contacting her online. "I just felt this blow to the back of my head, my head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered," she said. "I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was. "He had been messaging me in the past online." In November 2023, Craig O'Brien (28) of Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was sentenced to two years and three months for assault causing harm, with the final nine months suspended. Charleen recalls the horrific attack in tonight's Prime Time on RTE One where the show will be focussing on the impact on young Irish people of online influencers who promote a negative form of masculinity. The programme will reveal research carried out over the last number of months by RTÉ journalists Kate McDonald and Jack McCarron, as well as current insights from teachers, experts, and individuals who have been personally affected. Charleen said the experience is part of a larger pattern of online abuse she has encountered over years. "When I came out with the story that time, people said, 'You're not a real victim.' They downplay your pain or trauma," Charleen said. "You don't have to have something worse than someone else to still have gone through something bad." The programme explores how online narratives are increasingly shaping young people's views on gender roles in society, something Charleen has also noticed. "It's happening much younger," she says. "People have these words and this information so young. Their brains are being shaped by it all. It's scary. I'm scared for the younger generation." Charleen will also give a personal account of how online misogyny is not just digital and has a larger impact. "People think it's just a comment. But kids are reading that. That's saying to them, 'It's okay for me to post this too.' All the little things turn into the big things." Tune into Prime Time tonight May 22, at 9.35pm RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
He punched me in back of the head – straight away I knew who my attacker was, says star on Dublin restaurant horror
IRISH star Charleen Murphy has recalled the moments after she was attacked in a Dublin restaurant in 2023 - revealing she instantly knew who the perpetrator was. The social media personality was enjoying dinner with a friend when she was Advertisement 4 Charleen Murphy is set to appear on a special Prime Time episode tonight 4 The content creator has been open about the brutal attack she suffered two years ago Credit: Instagram / @charleenmurphy Her attacker walked into the restaurant after tracking down her location from an The now 26-year-old attended A&E following the attack and received stitches for a laceration in her hairline. The man, who was later charged with assault, had sent "a lot" of messages to the influencer on Instagram prior to the unprovoked attack, and text her after the assault asking: "How's the head?" Speaking to Prime Time, Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS She told "My head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered and smashed and I got a cut in my hairline." She continued: "I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was. "He had been messaging me in the past online." Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Opening up on the horror moment she realised she was injured the star, who has 317k Instagram followers and 281.6K She explained: "I could feel this warmth on my face but I didn't realise what that was. My friend said, 'We need to call an ambulance.'" 'It's a failure on the camogie association' - RTE GAA pundits don't sit on fence over 'no-brainer' skorts saga Charleen features in tonight's episode of Prime Time as a real life example of the dangers of misogyny. The episode focuses on the impact of social media and influencers who "promote a negative form of masculinity" are having on young people, especially young boys. Advertisement When Charleen's attacker appeared in In November 2023, the man was jailed for the attack on Charleen Murphy. 'I'M TRYING TO BE SAFE' The popular personality has been open online about the steps she's taken to make herself feel safe in the wake of the incident. Charleen explained: "I've had to get security, just to feel safe and have that extra layer of security. That obviously comes at a cost. It's not cheap." Advertisement She added: "If I'm in a restaurant or on holiday anywhere, if I'm posting, I've already actually gone from there. "I'll put it up as if it's the moment, just to keep the continuity. But I won't actually be there anymore. You just don't know who's watching." "I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was." Charleen Murphy Despite the young star's harrowing ordeal, social media users have blasted her with hate for the extra measures. The Dublin woman said: "They condemned me for my own personal safety. I'm trying to be safe. I'd rather not do it. Advertisement "I'd rather not pay that money. You're damned if you do, damned if you don't." 'I WAS SCARED OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE' Earlier this year, the Posting on Instagram she said: "Today marks two years since I was attacked whilst sitting down having dinner with a friend "February 10 will always feel heavy every year, knowing what I went through but I also feel proud of the journey I have been on Advertisement She added: "I thought I would never feel genuinely happy again or have any feeling of safety. I wish I could go back and promise her that she will feel so much happiness again. "For a long time I was scared of everything and everyone, things I never would've second guessed I found myself overthinking. I felt weak and it took so much pushing myself to make sure that I didn't feel like that forever." Offering advice, the brave woman added: "For anyone going through trauma or problems of any kind who feels like they have lost themselves in the process, I promise you that you will get yourself back and you will be shining brighter than ever." 'THEY JUST HAVE NO SHAME' However, despite bravely sharing her story and spreading a positive message online, the influencer continues to receive abusive comments from men. Advertisement She told RTE: "People say it comes with the job. And obviously, people are allowed to give their own opinion. "But it doesn't make it any nicer or easier and it doesn't mean they should." Charleen added: "It's usually a fake account. Usually a man. But sometimes it's their own account and they just have no shame. "Men try to flirt by replying to stories. If you don't reply, it's like, 'Well, you're a slut.' They say something nasty because you didn't give them attention." Advertisement 'THEY DOWNPLAY YOUR TRAUMA' The content creator revealed she has even received online hate just for opening up about her attack. She explained: "When I came out with the story that time, people said, 'You're not a real victim because it was only this or only that.' "They downplay your trauma." "You don't have to have something worse than someone else to still have gone through something bad." Advertisement Prime Time will air on RTE One tonight at 9.35pm . 4 Charleen has been subject to online abuse even after the unprovoked attack Credit: Instagram / @charleenmurphy 4 She has taken extra precautions to feel safe after she was attacked Credit: Instagram / @charleenmurphy
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish influencer recalls horror restaurant attack on tonight's Prime Time
Social media star Charleen Murphy has admitted she is "scared for the younger generation" as she opens up about being whacked in the head in a horror restaurant attack. The influencer was attacked in a Dublin restaurant two years ago by a man who had been repeatedly contacting her online. "I just felt this blow to the back of my head, my head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered," she said. "I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was. "He had been messaging me in the past online." In November 2023, Craig O'Brien (28) of Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was sentenced to two years and three months for assault causing harm, with the final nine months suspended. Charleen recalls the horrific attack in tonight's Prime Time on RTE One where the show will be focussing on the impact on young Irish people of online influencers who promote a negative form of masculinity. The programme will reveal research carried out over the last number of months by RTÉ journalists Kate McDonald and Jack McCarron, as well as current insights from teachers, experts, and individuals who have been personally affected. Charleen said the experience is part of a larger pattern of online abuse she has encountered over years. "When I came out with the story that time, people said, 'You're not a real victim.' They downplay your pain or trauma," Charleen said. "You don't have to have something worse than someone else to still have gone through something bad." The programme explores how online narratives are increasingly shaping young people's views on gender roles in society, something Charleen has also noticed. "It's happening much younger," she says. "People have these words and this information so young. Their brains are being shaped by it all. It's scary. I'm scared for the younger generation." Charleen will also give a personal account of how online misogyny is not just digital and has a larger impact. "People think it's just a comment. But kids are reading that. That's saying to them, 'It's okay for me to post this too.' All the little things turn into the big things." Tune into Prime Time tonight May 22, at 9.35pm RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
Sunday World
22-05-2025
- Sunday World
Influencer Charleen Murphy recalls seconds before violent attack which left her hospitalised
Craig O'Brien was jailed for assaulting the Dubliner after tracking down her location in February 2023 Influencer Charleen Murphy has recalled the seconds before the violent attack which left her hospitalised. It comes ahead of her appearance on an RTÉ Prime Time special delving into toxic masculinity online. Craig O'Brien attacked her in February 2023 as she dined at a Dublin hotel with a friend. 'I just felt this blow to the back of my head, my head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered,' she told RTÉ's Kate McDonald. Charleen after the attack News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd 'I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was… He had been messaging me in the past online.' Charleen said that the experience is part of a pattern of abuse she's received online over the years. 'When I came out with the story that time, people said, 'You're not a real victim.' They downplay your pain or trauma. 'You don't have to have something worse than someone else to still have gone through something bad.' She also said that the internet is shaping young people's views on gender roles. 'People have these words and this information so young. Their brains are being shaped by it all. It's scary. I'm scared for the younger generation. 'People think it's just a comment. But kids are reading that. That's saying to them, 'It's okay for me to post this too.' All the little things turn into the big things.' Taking to social media she shared: 'I will be on RTE One tonight at 9.35 during Prime Time talking about my attack and toxic masculinity online. Craig O'Brien who was convicted of assault causing harm to influencer Charleen Murphy 'An extremely important episode that dives into how online content is shaping teenagers minds and beliefs.' 'Being in the midst of the online world I see it every single day in comments and dm's to the point where I think we all have become numb to the words being used. Charleen said that young boys seeing other men making derogatory comments online 'makes them believe it's ok' and that they can 'speak to women that way.' 'That in turn makes the world even more unsafe for women, as it can have huge knock-on effects as I have seen first hand.' In November 2023, Craig O'Brien of Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the 'unprovoked and unwarranted attack' after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The court heard that Murphy went to the Grafton Capital Hotel to meet a friend for dinner and drinks. When she arrived, she shared photographs to social media. She was sat in a booth, facing her friend when she felt a blow to the back of her head. Her head flew forward, and her forehead smashed into a glass on the table. Read more Man (39) dies after getting into difficulty in Cork river An ambulance was called, and Murphy was taken to hospital, requiring stitches to a two-inch laceration on her forehead. Later on in the evening, O'Brien sent her a voice note on social media asking: 'how's the head?' Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that he had ten previous convictions, including two for assault. At sentencing, Judge Orla Crowe said that while he was being interviewed by gardaí, he referred to Ms Murphy in 'utter derogatory terms, a female who had done nothing to him'. O'Brien was released from prison in 2024 after serving 13 months of his sentence.
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Influencer Charleen Murphy recalls restaurant attack
Prime Time on RTÉ One tonight hosts a special programme focusing on the impact on young Irish people of online influencers who promote a negative form of masculinity. The programme will reveal research carried out over the last number of months by RTÉ journalists Kate McDonald and Jack McCarron, as well as current insights from teachers, experts, and individuals who have been personally affected. Among those featured is Charleen Murphy, an Irish lifestyle influencer who explains the real-world impact. In an interview in Thursday night's programme, Charleen recounts how she was attacked in a Dublin restaurant by a man who had previously repeatedly messaged her on social media. "I just felt this blow to the back of my head, my head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered . . . "I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was . . . He had been messaging me in the past online," she told RTÉ journalist Kate McDonald. Charleen says the experience is part of a larger pattern of online abuse she has encountered over years. Ms Murphy has made a career from sharing her life online, posting lifestyle content across her social media accounts. "When I came out with the story that time, people said, 'You're not a real victim.' They downplay your pain or trauma," Charleen said. "You don't have to have something worse than someone else to still have gone through something bad." The programme explores how online narratives are increasingly shaping young people's views on gender roles in society, something Charleen has also noticed. "It's happening much younger," she says. "People have these words and this information so young. Their brains are being shaped by it all. It's scary. I'm scared for the younger generation." In her interview Charleen Murphy provides a personal account of how online misogyny is not just digital and has a larger impact. "People think it's just a comment. But kids are reading that. That's saying to them, 'It's okay for me to post this too.' All the little things turn into the big things." Accompanying the programme, there are a series of online articles explaining and examining why young men may become interested in certain types of masculinity influencers, what an incel is, what teachers are seeing in schools, and looking at the wider social impact of these online narratives. They're available at
