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Influencer prey of violence
A disturbing incident unfolded as Charleen Murphy, a popular Dublin-based influencer, fell victim to an unprovoked attack during a night out with friends. Craig O’Brien, 28, unleashed violence upon her, leaving her bloodied and requiring stitches.
The assault, caught on CCTV, shocked the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Charleen, with over 225,000 Instagram followers, was enjoying an evening at Grafton Capital Hotel when O’Brien, a stranger who followed her on social media, struck her forcefully from behind. The assault was so severe that her drinking glass shattered on impact.
Attacker claims: Influencers are ganging up
O’Brien, pleading guilty to assault causing harm, claimed influencers were “ganging up on him” during a police interview. The attack, characterized by the judge as ‘absolutely shocking footage,’ prompted Charleen to emphasize the dark side of social media.
The aftermath saw O’Brien voice-noting Charleen callously, asking about her head. Identified and located through a search warrant, O’Brien, who acknowledged a history of drug issues and psychosis, expressed remorse during court proceedings.
The defense highlighted O’Brien’s aggression issues linked to drug use since age 14, asserting he believed influencers were out to harm him due to drug-induced psychosis. Despite an apology, O’Brien, with ten prior convictions, faced a two-year and three-month sentence, with the final nine months suspended.
Court orders against attacker
The court imposed restraining orders, mandating O’Brien to unfollow Charleen on social media and avoid contact for five years. Charleen, in a hospital photo post-attack, thanked supporters for their ‘continued love and support,’ emphasizing that while justice was served, the emotional scars persist.
In her Instagram post, Charleen called attention to the broader issue, asserting that the incident not only impacted her life but highlighted the safety concerns for women, adding another setting where safety is compromised. She expressed gratitude for the support and looked forward to moving on, aspiring to draw something positive from the harrowing experience.
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