Kildare family brand manslaughter sentence 'unduly light'

“THIS is the start of our life sentence,” said the sister of Ryan Weir Gibbons, surrounded by friends and family, after the man who killed her brother was sentenced to five years in prison at Naas Circuit Court on Friday.

Family and friends of Mr Weir Gibbons gathered outside the courthouse last Friday, with the family describing the sentence given was “unduly light”.

Ryan Murphy (19) of Curragh Plains was sentenced to five years in prison for the manslaughter of the 29-year-old from Kildare Town.

Mr Weir Gibbons skull was fractured after hit his head on the ground when he was punched.

The court heard how in the early hours of the morning on 26 October 2025, the accused and injured party had an altercation on the night bus from Naas to Kildare Town after the deceased asked Mr Murphy’s group to be quieter.

Mr Murphy was heard saying to Mr Weir Gibbons on the bus “I will smash your head in. I will break your face”.

Mr Murphy grabbed Mr Weir Gibbons and the driver broke up the altercation.

The two parties got off at separate stops, and Mr Murphy pursued Mr Weir Gibbons to Magee Terrace, Kildare Town.

The court heard that what happened next was completely filmed on a mobile phone.

“Say sorry now,” said Mr Murphy in video footage captured by a friend present on the night.

“’ll have you f**king split.” Judge Elva Duffy recalled the evidence and noted that Mr Weir Gibbons put two hands up and apologised, desperate to deescalate the situation. He then attempted to throw a punch and missed.

Mr Murphy then delivered a blow to Mr Weir Gibbons.

The court heard the group tried to move him to the side of the road and perform CPR when they realised Mr Weir Gibbons was non-responsive.

Gardaí and ambulances were called to the scene, and found that Mr Weir Gibbons had sustained a serious brain injury.

It was heard in court that Mr Murphy initially told gardaí that he found Mr Weir Gibbons unconscious on the street, before subsequently admitting he was involved.

He was brought to hospital and later died on 30 October, due to a skull fracture and fluid on the brain, and oxygen deprivation which led to multi organ failure.

Judge Duffy told the court how Mr Murphy presented to the Garda Station with his father and was cooperative but said that there were still things he did not remember.

“He accepts he destroyed the deceased’s family and himself,” said Judge Duffy.

“Ryan Weir Gibbons is deeply mourned by his family and nothing I can say will change that,” she said.

Judge Duffy noted mitigation in the case including his early guilty plea, his young age, his letter of apology, a probation report which notes that he has a low risk of reoffending, and the fact he attempted CPR on the victim and called gardaí to the scene.

Judge Duffy accepted that Mr Murphy is “someone more than who he was on that night.” However, the judge remarked on the number of aggravating factors including the footage of the assault, the threats to the deceased and his pursuit of the victim.

Judge Duffy explained that Mr Murphy’s conviction carries a headline sentence of eight years. However, with all mitigation factors in mind, she ultimately sentenced the man to five years in prison from that date.

Gathered outside the courthouse after the sentencing, Mr Weir Gibbons’s family spoke to media about the result. The crowd was seen carrying a banner with the deceased’s photo that read: ‘Ryan was 29 – far too young to lose his life. Justice for Ryan.’ “It’s hard to understand,” said the victim’s father Edward Gibbons.

“I feel maybe he (the defendant) was given a bit too much credit.

"If you were to see this person in general life, very intimidating.” He continued: “Going back to the sentencing, I think it is unduly light for what happened that night."

"This is going to crush us,” he said. "This actually amplifies our pain."

Mr Weir Gibbon’s sister, Nicole read a statement from the family.

“Ryan Weir Gibbons was just 29 years old when he died after sustaining life-threatening injuries outside Kildare Garda Station on 26 October 2025.

“He passed away at Naas General Hospital on the 30th of October leaving our family heartbroken and countless friends whose lives have been changed forever.

“Ryan was so much more than the circumstances of his death. He had the most infectious smile. He was bubbly, full of life and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into. Ryan was a messer. He loved making people laugh and could always find humour in any situation.

“We always called him Ryano, although he much preferred the nickname his friends gave him, Gibby. Those are the memories we want people to remember. As heard in court, after being approached and assaulted on the bus, Ryan removed himself from the situation.

“Instead of being left alone, he was pursued again later after getting off the bus. During that pursuit, it was heard in court that the man convicted repeatedly shouted, ‘Do you know who I am?’ in Ryan’s final moments , with Ryan saying ‘Sorry, sorry’ as his life was ended.

“The evidence heard during the trial speaks for itself. Ryan will be remembered for how he lived, not for the violence that ended his life. Ryan did not spend his life hurting people. He spent his life helping them.

“The pain of losing Ryan is something words can never fully describe. Every birthday, Christmas, family gathering and milestone will forever be overshadowed by his absence.

“Our family has endured unimaginable grief while also carrying the emotional burden of the criminal justice process. One of the most traumatic experiences we have ever had to endure was being shown recordings of Ryan's assault and his final moments, captured on the mobile phone of a member of the group who was present.

“Watching that footage caused immense emotional pain and lasting trauma. Those are images that no family should ever have to see. They remain with us every single day. Ryan's death is a reminder of the devastating and irreversible consequences that violence can have.

“One act has taken his life and left our family with a loss that we will carry forever. We would like to sincerely thank the Garda members of Kildare & Newbridge who came to Ryan’s aid on the 26th October 2025, the vast Garda investigation team, our Garda liaison officers and the legal team.

“As this case continues, we remain hopeful that the Garda investigation team will now progress to the next phase by submitting the Book of Evidence in relation to the remaining four people who were present that night.

“As heard in open court, it was alleged that these individuals told gardaí they found Ryan lying on the road despite having been present during the events.

“It was also heard in court that one member of the group recorded the assault and circulated videos that night on a social media’s snapchat and that issues relating to information provided to gardaí formed part of the evidence before the court.

“We hope every aspect of what happened on 26 October 2025 is fully examined through the criminal justice process. Ryan Weir Gibbons will always be deeply loved, forever missed and never forgotten.”