'Govt must stop abusers grilling victims in court'

Calls for law change after rapist's 'inhumane' cross-examination bid

- BY PAUL HEALY Crime Correspondent

NOTORIOUS rapist Philip Murphy tried to intimidate his victims by attempting to cross-examine them himself at trial, a survivor has told.

Murphy, 45, one of Ireland's most infamous abusers, was jailed for a further 15 years for the rape and sexual abuse of his half-brother Tom Ryan and two women when they were just children.

Tom told this paper how his monster half-brother, who represented himself at trial, desperately tried to cross-examine him and the other victims in a bid to control them once again.

Thankfully the judge did not allow this to occur - but now Tom is calling on the Government to change the legislation to ensure such a thing can never happen.

"It was horrible to hear the things he was saying," Tom said.