A MUM whose daughter was stabbed and left to die in a burning house told how it feels like her family is “back on trial” as the evil killer can apply for parole this year.
THE depraved killer of a mum who was stabbed six times in the neck and left to die in a burning house is making his first bid for freedom.
Vile Darren Murphy, 47, murdered his partner Olivia Dunlea, 36, at her home in Passage West, Cork on February 17, 2013.
The beast fled the scene after stabbing Olivia and leaving her to die before setting fire to a duvet on a bed, along with starting a second fire downstairs in the kitchen.
Murphy was in a relationship with the mother-of-three for just 16 weeks before he brutally killed her.
The cruel killer put Olivia’s mum Ann and her siblings through hell after appealing his murder conviction three times.
Evil Murphy was jailed for life following a murder trial in 2018.
In an interview with the Opinion Line, on Cork’s 96FM, Ann said “it feels like being back on trial again” as Murphy is eligible to apply for parole this year.
She said: “It is all about him now again and we are back to square one.
“Olivia was my first born. She was 36 years old when he murdered her and left her poor three children without a mother. He didn’t care about anybody but himself. My poor child got burned alive.
“He lied and lied and lied even on the night he murdered her. He went home up the back way (of the park) and watched the house on fire. He is an animal.”
Ann said that Olivia’s children were being minded by one of her other daughters on the night of the murder.
When Ann heard that a fire had broken out at Olivia’s she rang her daughter who had gone on a night out. Ann didn’t receive an answer.
She said: “Little did I know, God help us, that she was burned alive. The ceiling was after falling down on top of her.
“Her kids were nine, ten and twelve.”
Ann told show host PJ Coogan that even after the three murder trials concluded Mr Murphy lodged an appeal of his conviction.
She said: “That will tell you the neck he has. He didn’t say, no I am after putting them through enough. He hasn’t a decent bone in his body.”
‘HARD TO GET JUSTICE’
She added that it is deeply upsetting that Murphy can apply for parole after 12 years in custody.
She said: “That would drive you mad. It is like it is all over now. He is after doing 12 years. He is after being a good boy. Of course he is a good boy. He is in prison. It is a pity he wasn’t a good boy before he went to prison and left my child alone.
“I don’t want to meet that murderer on the road. It is very hard to get justice in this country.”
Ann said Olivia had only been casually dating the killer for a few weeks when he murdered her.
UNAWARE OF WORRYING BEHAVOUIR
However, she said they now know he was displaying extremely worrying behaviour in the weeks before he killed Olivia.
She said: “He was stalking her at night and we never knew anything about that. It was through the court that we used to hear he was outside in his car. Not directly outside her house but in her park. We never knew that. And Olivia certainly didn’t know it.
“It is heartbreaking to see her poor children growing up without her. It is terrible.
“I am hoping he won’t get parole but we have to be practical and think, what if? I am not prepared for that. I am hoping our voices will be heard.
‘LIFE IS LIFE’
“For me life is life and he should be left rot somewhere. Why should he be let out? We are never going to see Olivia again. He has no remorse.
“Olivia was very well liked. She was easy going. I can see their mother now in her children. Megan is doing the same as her mum now, nursery school teaching.
“It doesn’t get easier. The longer it is going on the worse it is. Olivia is never going to come back to us.
“I have an awful habit of calling some of the grandchildren Olivia when they are all in the house. She is still around me.”
HORRIFIC ATTACK
A post-mortem examination revealed that Olivia had six stab wounds, two behind the right ear and four to the front of the neck.
One of the wounds behind her ear penetrated in to her spinal canal, causing bleeding inside her skull which would have caused paralysis.
The Central Criminal Court in Cork heard during the trial that clothes had to be bought for Olivia’s children because they literally didn’t have a shirt on their backs after the fire.
They also lost a number of family pets in the fire, causing them extra distress.
“I don’t want to meet that murderer on the road. It is very hard to get justice in this country.”
Ann Dunlea
The family managed to retrieve a few photographs and personal items from the loft of the house.
However, the family did not get to the see Olivia’s body before she was laid to rest.
Murphy, of Dan Desmond Drive, Passage West, Cork pleaded not guilty to murder. But he conceded that he had committed manslaughter.
The DPP declined to accept his plea and he was 41 when jailed for life in 2018.
OLIVIA ALIVE THROUGH HER KIDS
Mum Ann said Olivia lives on in her “incredible children”.
Ann and Olivia’s daughter Megan are set to feature in Maru inar Measc, a three-part true crime documentary series produced by Midas Productions.
The series explores the impact of crimes on victims’ families and their communities.
The episode involving the Dunlea family will air Wednesday at 9.30pm on TG4.
