Attacked for being an influencer: Woman, 24, reveals how man punched her from behind and left her with facial injuries in an unprovoked assault after seeing her take selfies on a night out – and said she ‘deserved it’
- Charleen Murphy was enjoying an evening in Dublin before her sudden attack
- READ MORE: Samet Karasoylu: TikTok influencer is bashed and thrown to the ground in video shared on app
A man who unleashed an unprovoked, violent attack on an influencer – while she was enjoying dinner and drinks with some friends – has been jailed for 18 months.
Charleen Murphy, 24, 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’.
Last week, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard how Craig O’Brien, 28, from Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the social media star on February 10, the Irish Examiner reported.
During his police interview, the attacker, who is also understood to have suffered drug issues and psychosis, had insisted influencers were ‘ganging up on him’ and ‘deserved it’.
Podcast presenter Charleen, who has more than 225,000 followers on Instagram 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 but was otherwise a total stranger.
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.’
A man who unleashed an unprovoked, violent attack on an influencer (pictured earlier this month) – while she was enjoying dinner and drinks with some friends – has been jailed for 18 months
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’.
Charleen Murphy (pictured after the attack in February) says she was ‘punched full force’ from behind
Last week, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard how Craig O’Brien (pictured), 28, from Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the social media star on February 10, the Irish Examiner reported
It is also understood that O’Brien said, when asked by gardaí, that he took medication for psychosis every day.
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.
Breakingnews.ie 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.
Charleen then revealed how she took the stand on Friday to ‘acknowledge how this attack has impacted her life’. Pictured in October
On Friday, Charleen thanked her Instagram followers for their ‘continued love and support’ during the ordeal. She posted photos from the night of the attack – both before the assault (left) and after (right)
According to Breakingnews.ie, O’Brien has ten prior convictions, two of which are for assault.
Judge Crowe sentenced him to two ears and three months. The final nine months will be suspended for 18 months.
O’Brien is also 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.
On Friday, 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.
Shortly after the attack in February, Charleen took to social media to post about the horrific incident
‘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 on Friday to ‘acknowledge how this attack has impacted her life’ – but also ‘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.’
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