Kerry jockey Oisin Murphy fined over €80,000 after admitting drink-driving
Murphy, 29, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was also banned from driving for a period of 20 months at Reading Magistrates' Court today after he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.
He was charged by postal requisition on 19 June after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on 27 April.
He had a passenger with him at the time, who was the owner of the car, the court heard. They were both taken to hospital after the crash.
Murphy was later discharged to take a breathalyser test at a police station at about 7am, which showed a reading of 66mg per 100 millilitres of breath.
This meant he was 'just shy of twice above the drink-driving limit' at the time of driving, prosecutor Richard Atkins told the court.
He was subsequently interviewed by Thames Valley Police officers but was unable to confirm what had happened as he claimed he did not have a clear memory of the incident, the prosecution added.
Murphy grew up in Killarney, Co Kerry and rode five winners at last month's Royal Ascot last week.
Sporting a dark blue suit, white shirt, and tie, Murphy only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address before entering his guilty plea.
Jockey Oisin Murphy arrives at Reading Magistrates' Court
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Judge Sam Goozee told Murphy he was taking two aggravating factors into account, adding: 'Your vehicle was involved in a collision which indicates an impairment. You were also carrying a passenger.
'You are lucky that neither you, your passenger, or the public were injured by your actions.
'I do balance that with the remorse you have shown for your actions.
'You have also recognised that you have let the public down by virtue of your actions, and your colleagues in the racing world.'
Murphy received a £70,000 fine, with a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs.
Advertisement
The figure was calculated based on his annual earnings, which the court heard are in the region of £250,000 a year, in addition to a weekly salary of £1,250.
Murphy will also have to complete a drink-driving awareness course by 13 August 2026, and will be able to reapply for a driving licence by November next year.
Murphy published a statement this evening in which he apologised for the offence.
'I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions,' he wrote.
'I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did.
'I have let a lot of people down. I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family.
'I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority as a result of the police investigation.
'I will now be fully co-operative with their enquiries.
'It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded.'
The British Horseracing Authority said Murphy will remain free to continue riding, but new conditions will likely be added to his licence as a result of his conviction.
'Everyone at the BHA, like all involved in our sport, is disappointed today having learned the details of the offence to which Oisin Murphy has pleaded guilty,' a spokesperson for the BHA said in a statement.
'This is a very serious offence that, in the course of being committed, saw Mr Murphy jeopardise not only his own safety but that of his passenger and all other people travelling on the roads at the same time as him that night.
'His conduct fell a long way short of the standard we expect of all licensed individuals, in whom we place trust that they will represent our sport to the best of their abilities, upholding our collective reputation and ensuring racing is a safe place for all.
'In light of Mr Murphy's guilty plea and the information revealed in court today, we will be working on the addition of new conditions on his licence that may be referred to the Licensing Committee for their consideration.
'As has been the case in recent weeks, Mr Murphy remains free to take up his riding engagements.'
'We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time,' the BHA added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
From the Kerry archives, July 7, 2000: Courtroom fight, Ballybunion runs out of beer & Kelly talks GAA Presidency
Brawl breaks out in Tralee courtroom A mass brawl erupted in Tralee District Court on Wednesday morning moments after four defendants, including a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, were sentenced for their involvement in a high speed car chase through the town during which a Garda patrol vehicle was rammed. The incident appeared to be sparked when a woman who had been sitting in the public gallery attacked the girl, who had been the only defendant not to receive a custodial sentence. Within seconds, between 12 and 15 members of the public were fighting, with punches being thrown as people climbed over the court benches to join in the fracas. In the midst of the melee, the girl was pushed or struck to the ground. As the rest of the courtroom looked on in amazement, five Gardaí attempted to restore order. At least one man involved in the fight tried unsuccessfully to punch a Garda. One man was arrested as a result of the incident. As he was handcuffed and led away, he shouted-obscenities at both the legal system and the Gardai who he accused of trying to lynch him. When the fighting broke out, Judge Humphrey Kelleher immediately left the courtroom. The case, which arose out of an incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning, had earlier been described as extremely serious by prosecuting Inspector Barry O'Rourke, who said that it was part of the current rash of car thefts plaguing Tralee. Ballybunion runs out of beer during Irish Open Bring back the Murphy's Irish Open as soon as possible! That was the unanimous verdict this week from Ballybunion's business community — particularly its publicans, many of whom ran out of beer on Saturday night as thousands of thirsty punters thronged the North Kerry resort over the weekend. Ballybunion's debut as host club for the 2000 Irish Open was widely regarded as a resounding success. Murphy's Managing Director, Padraic Liston, declared it 'the best ever' as he handed the winner's trophy to 29-year-old Swedish golfer Patrik Sjöland beside the 18th green on Sunday afternoon. Already, the business people of the town have declared that they want the tournament back within the next few years. But committee member Fintan Scannell said the club must wait until agronomist Tom Kavanagh assesses what damage was done to the course by the estimated 40,000 spectators who followed the tournament over four days. Chairman of Ballybunion Development Company Kevin O'Callaghan said everyone involved in the tournament, particularly the Gardaí, who drew up an excellent traffic plan, could take a bow this weekend. "Ballybunion has proven itself now and there is no reason why we couldn't host another major golf tournament in the future," he said. A spectacular fireworks display and a street theatre production on Saturday night brough thousands of people into the town after the day's golf. Treasurer of the local vinter association, John Dee, said it was the biggest weekend the town had experienced in over thirty years. "I've never seen anything like the crowds. We had run out of cider, Budweiser and Heineken on Saturday night and so did other pubs. From a vintners point of view, we'd love to have it back. Fintan Scannell said the golf club may now set its sights on hosting the next Walker Cup in 2005. Kelly to seek GAA Presidency Kerry's Sean Kelly, current chairman of the Munster Council confirmed to The Kerryman on Wednesday that he would be allowing his name go forward for Presidency of the GAA in two years time. Mr Kelly, who withdrew from the race last year in order to give former Minister Council chairman Noel Walsh a 'free run', said that upon withdrawing from the race then, he had indicated that it was his intention to run for the Presidency next time round. "Once I am nominated by the Kerry County Board, I will be going for the Presidency," he said. "We have never had a Kerry President of the Association and if I'm nominated, I will be making an all-out effort to be elected. The nomination is not due to come up for another year but it's fairly well accepted that I would run.'
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Oisin Murphy returns to track day after drink-driving court appearance
Oisin Murphy failed to feature in the places as he returned to the track a day after pleading guilty to his drink-driving case. The talented Kerry jockey was handed a £70,000 fine and a 20-month driving ban after pleading guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. A little over 24 hours later, Murphy was stateside for the lucrative Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes. Riding 7/4 favourite New Century, Murphy finished sixth place in a seven-strong field. The top prize for the race was a whopping $472,500, with second getting $150k. A fourth-place finish still would have nabbed over $50,000. Murphy released a statement shortly after his guilty plea where he offered 'no excuse' for his actions. 'I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions. I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did. 'I have let a lot of people down. I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family," he said in his statement. Trainer Andrew Balding has said he will offer Murphy 'all the help and support' he can following the incident. Balding, who has a long and successful association with Murphy, enjoyed a Friday treble at Sandown, from where he told Racing TV: 'He'd made them (details of the case) known in advance, but obviously we were hoping that what we were hearing was accurate and that was the case. 'Obviously it's not an ideal situation for him or for us or for anyone really, but I really hope that we can take this as a point to move forward and I know he'll be working closely with the BHA and we'll be giving him all the help and support we can to try to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. "Everyone makes mistakes, but I think as long as there's an intent to improve going forward, we're all behind him." The multiple champion jockey admitted driving a car while drunk and crashing into a tree earlier this year.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Oisin Murphy to get 'all the help and support' following drink-driving case
Andrew Balding has vowed to give Oisin Murphy 'all the help and support' he can after the multiple champion jockey admitted driving a car while drunk and crashing into a tree earlier this year. Murphy was fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after being sentenced at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday, with the 29-year-old having pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He later issued a statement apologising for his actions, saying 'there is no excuse for what I did', while the British Horseracing Authority confirmed he is free to continue riding amid plans to place new conditions on his licence. Balding, who has a long and successful association with Murphy, enjoyed a Friday treble at Sandown, from where he told Racing TV: 'He'd made them (details of the case) known in advance, but obviously we were hoping that what we were hearing was accurate and that was the case. 'Obviously it's not an ideal situation for him or for us or for anyone really, but I really hope that we can take this as a point to move forward and I know he'll be working closely with the BHA and we'll be giving him all the help and support we can to try to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.' Murphy travelled to America to partner former Balding inmate New Century in the Belmont Derby at Saratoga on Friday night, but is scheduled to be back in action in Britain on Saturday for seven rides at Sandown, including Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in the Coral-Eclipse and three booked mounts for the Balding team. When asked if he would continue to support Murphy, the trainer added: 'Yes, of course. Everyone makes mistakes, but I think as long as there's an intent to improve going forward, we're all behind him. 'It's for the regulator to put in what they want to see going forward and let them deal with it. 'We have (had a long, professional relationship with Murphy) and we expect higher standards than that. It was a very unfortunate incident and I hope that's the end of it.'
