He was a superb advocate, noted for his "persistence, pathos and humour" in argument.[2] He made his reputation as counsel for the prosecution in the Phoenix Park murders trials in 1883, and later that year was duly rewarded for the successful outcome of the trials (from the Crown's point of view) by appointment to the High Court. He sat first in the Common Pleas Division before being transferred to the King's Bench Division.[3] He then transferred to the Exchequer Division, before finally returning to the King's Bench.[3] He was appointed to the Privy Council of Ireland in 1890.[1] As a judge he was noted for dignity and efficiency rather than for profound legal learning. His judgments were generally considered to be right, and were rarely overturned on appeal, but very few of them were deemed worth reporting for their legal principles.
It was in private life that Murphy shone most brightly: he was noted for his "warm-hearted hospitality", and his guests were charmed by his lively conversation and erudition. Glencairn House, his home at Leopardstown, County Dublin, was one of the centres of Dublin social life. Ownership of Glencairn passed after his death to the notorious Tammany Hall politician Richard Croker ("Boss" Croker), and it is now the official residence of the British Ambassador to Ireland.[1]
Glencairn House, Murphy's residence, now the official residence of the British Ambassador
Family
He married Mary Keogh, daughter of Mr Justice William Keogh of the Court of Common Pleas (Ireland) and his wife Kate Rooney, in 1864.[1] Keogh had been a much-hated politician (of "Sadleir and Keogh" infamy, a proverb for betrayal of one's political principles) before his appointment to the Bench, and was an equally unpopular judge, but his son-in-law was always his good friend and champion.[4]
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