Portrait of former Cork Lord Mayor to be removed

Councillors in Cork have decided to remove a portrait of the former Lord Mayor of the city, John Murray, from public display in Cork City Hall following his conviction and subsequent jailing for sexually assaulting a young woman.

John Murray (83) of Gregg Road in Cork was jailed for a year earlier this month after he was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault.

The victim in the case had told the jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that she was first sexually assaulted by Mr Murray at the age of 13 at a location in Cork city. The offences occurred between 1996 and 1998.

Mr Murray served as Lord Mayor of Cork from 1993-1994. His portrait is currently on display in Cork City Hall in a gallery of former Lord Mayors.

It will be removed tomorrow.

Sinn Féin councillor, Chris O’Leary, said following consultation among various party whips today a decision was taken to remove the portrait from display in Cork City Hall.

“When I first raised [the issue] last week it should have been taken down. It would have saved a lot of hurt and embarrassment. Unfortunately, there was a lot of hostility when I first suggested it. But it is coming down now and that is the important thing.”

Meanwhile, it is understood the victim in the case contacted Cork City Hall requesting that the portrait be removed from display.

John Murray was first elected to Cork Corporation for the Labour Party in 1985. He was re-elected in 1991 but lost his seat in 1999.

He was elected Lord Mayor of Cork in 1993 and was involved in local politics for much of his adult life. He also ran a taxi business in Cork city.