Latest news with #CharleenMurphy
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- News.com.au
Irish influencer Charleen Murphy relives vicious dinner assault
A social media personality has recounted the night she was attacked in a restaurant, sharing the shocking and misogynistic reactions she faced online from people who said she 'deserved it'. Charleen Murphy was dining with a friend at a Dublin restaurant on February 10, 2023 when she was punched in the back of the head by Craig O'Brien in a targeted attack. The 30-year-old had used social media to locate Ms Murphy, and told police he was convinced influencers were 'ganging up on him' and that Ms Murphy 'probably deserved it', according to Daily Mail. He even messaged her following the assault, asking her 'How's the head?', The Irish Sun reported. O'Brien was sentenced to two years and three months over the attack, and was understood to have suffered drug issues and psychosis at the time of the incident. Ms Murphy opened up about the night in an interview with RTE's Prime Time. '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. The 26-year-old said when she turned and saw O'Brien, she knew straight away that he had been the one to deal the horrific blow. She needed to be rushed to the emergency room, and was given stitches as a result of the vicious attack. Ms Murphy revealed that when what happened to her came to light, she was told she 'wasn't a real victim' by people online. Some even commented that O'Brien didn't take it far enough. '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,' she told the Irish television program. She expressed her concern about misogyny online, and how it's becoming increasingly available for young people to see this views. As a result of the attack, Ms Murphy has had to get security in order to feel safe. She also only posts restaurant, holiday or shopping trips after they have concluded so she cannot be followed. She said some people have slammed her for this, but that abuse shouldn't be part of her job.' 'It's usually a fake account. Usually a man. But sometimes it's their own account and they just have no shame,' she told RTE. 'Men try to flirt by replying to stories. If you don't reply, it's like, 'Well, you're a sl*t.' They say something nasty because you didn't give them attention.' On the two-year anniversary of the terrible attack, Ms Murphy said the date will always 'feel heavy' but she was 'proud' of the journey she's been on. 'I remember flying home from visiting Dano who lived in England at the time and having a knot in my stomach about landing in the country I loved and lived in,' she said. 'A country that I usually would've had such a sense of comfort landing in, felt so alien and scary to me. 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.' She said she was incredibly grateful for the community who rallied around her following the trauma, and gave words of encouragement to others who had been through significant trauma.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Woman punched 'for being an influencer' while taking selfies on a night out reveals 'sick' messages she receives from men telling her she 'deserved it'
An Irish Influencer who was attacked by a man who had been repeatedly messaging her on social media revealed men still message to say 'he should have hit you harder'. Charleen Murphy, 26, from Dublin, was 'punched full force' from behind, 'so hard that her drinking glass on the table smashed into her head', leaving her with 'blood soaked hair and a two-inch gash that required stitches'. Craig O'Brien, 30, from Ballyfermot, who followed Charleen on social media but was otherwise a total stranger, had insisted influencers were 'ganging up on him', calling Charleen a 'dumb b***h' who 'probably deserved it'. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced O'Brien, who is understood to have suffered drug issues and psychosis, to two years and three months. The final nine months will be suspended for 18 months. Now two years after the terrifying attack the influencer, who has more than 317,000 followers on Instagram, has opened up about the night and says there is a wider issue of 'misogyny and online abuse' that needs to be addressed. Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ on Prime Time, she said: 'I was sitting in a restaurant with my friend and all of a sudden I just felt this blow to the back of my head. 'Initially I didn't know what it was, my head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered and left me with a cut in my hairline. 'I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was. He had been messaging in the past online. 'My friend rang an ambulance and we went straight to St James's Hospital where I got stitches. He was able to walk out of the restaurant and was called into the gardaí station later on that night.' The content creator revealed the attack was part of a larger pattern of online abuse that she has encountered over years. 'There are men that still comment on my profile to say 'he should have hit you harder' or 'he should hit you again', how can someone be so sick and have that mindset.' Charleen spoke about the impact that attack and online abuse had on her mental health. She added: 'It was a really scary time, to not feel safe anywhere.' The influencer said growing negative masculinity online is leading to misogyny and male violence against women. 'Kids these days are much younger online, when I was younger it wouldn't have started until much later, their brains are being shaped and moulded at such a young age. 'There are these toxic masculinity figures, these grown men like Andrew Tate, and these kids are listening to that and they are seeing comments and they are reading that thinking this is ok. Craig O'Brien, 30, from Ballyfermot, who followed Charleen on social media but was otherwise a total stranger, had insisted influencers were 'ganging up on him', calling Charleen a 'dumb b***h' who 'probably deserved it' 'All the little things turn into the big things, they build up.' Charleen revealed men would message to flirt with her and if she didn't reply she would be branded a s*** by them. 'They would say something nasty because they were annoyed you didn't give them the attention. It's scary, I'm scared for the younger generation.' In 2023, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard how O'Brien pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the social media star. Podcast presenter Charleen was enjoying an evening at the Grafton Capital Hotel in Dublin, which she had posted about online, before she was suddenly struck by O'Brien, who followed her on social media. She later said of the attack: 'Unfortunately there remains a very dark side to social media that I have become a victim of in a way I could never have imagined.' Judge Orla Crowe remarked on the 'absolutely shocking footage that came out of nowhere' as CCTV evidence was shown to the court. 'Ms Murphy had no way of protecting herself as she was hit from behind,' she added. Charleen saw O'Brien - whom she had never met in person but had known of - as she turned around and he was walking away from her. As she was bleeding, an ambulance and gardaí were called. The Irish Examiner also reported that O'Brien later voice-noted Charleen to ask: 'How's the head?' She could identify her attacker when speaking to the authorities and soon, a search warrant was issued for O'Brien's home. There, police found a jacket which matched the one worn in CCTV footage provided by the hotel. During his gardaí interview, O'Brien also reportedly claimed that influencers were 'harassing' him, calling Charleen a 'dumb b***h' who 'probably deserved it', although he 'felt bad for her'. Judge Crowe told the court that the pair has no history between them, calling the attack 'unprovoked and unwarranted'. Miska Hanahoe, defending, said that her client came to the station as soon as he was contacted. She added that O'Brien was apologetic and insists he doesn't pose a current danger to Charleen. Ms Hanahoe also expressed that her client has a problem with aggression, which is linked to drugs that he began taking aged 14. added that, according to the defence, O'Brien was 'drug-induced psychosis and genuinely believed that social media influencers were out to get him'. The outlet also reported that the attacker has been engaging with a drug counsellor while in custody. He told the court, in a letter, that he is 'really sorry' and 'regrets what he did', stating that he wasn't taking medication when the incident took place. According to O'Brien has ten prior convictions, two of which are for assault. Judge Crowe sentenced him to two years and three months. The final nine months will be suspended for 18 months. O'Brien was ordered to unfollow Charleen on all social media, and not to attempt contact with her again. For five years after his release, he is also not allowed to come within 50 metres of her. At the time of his sentencing, Charleen thanked her Instagram followers for their 'continued love and support' during the ordeal. Posting a photo of herself in hospital on the night of the attack, she wrote: 'Today I finally got some justice for the attack I was subjected to in February of this year. 'The night in question was supposed to be a fun catch up with an old friend for dinner and drinks in a restaurant. However an individual sought out my location to cause me harm. 'I say some justice because to me, 18 months won't ever amount to the damage that was done & how it affected and still affects me today.' She recounted the horrific attack and the injuries which resulted. 'From these photos you can see how my night started and how it ended with blood soaked hair and a two-inch gash that required stitches,' she said. 'There is a physical scar left but the emotional scar will take far longer to heal. 'Over the past few months it may have seemed that life still goes on but behind the scenes I have been in & out of court including taking to the stand the morning after the attack and truly struggled to deal with it all.' Charleen then revealed how she took the stand to 'acknowledge how this attack has impacted her life' - but 'wanted to also mention that this isn't just about her'. 'It affects women everywhere,' she penned. 'And particularly in Ireland and sadly adds another setting onto the list of places where we just aren't safe. I hope no other online creator will ever go through what I have gone through but more importantly no other woman! 'Thank you for all of your continued love and support, it is such a blessing and I look forward to moving on with my life and I hope that I can make something positive come from an awful situation.'
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.
