BREAKING: Man jailed for life over murder of Stephen Ring in Wexford quarry

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Stephen Ring, whose body was discovered in a quarry in Co Wexford nearly two weeks after he was reported missing.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Christopher Judge killed the 27-year-old at a house in Pairc na Dara, Clonard, on 15 October 2024. Mr Ring had been restrained and choked before his body was transported and dumped in Carrigfoyle Quarry.

During the search for the missing man, Judge used Mr Ring’s recently acquired mobile phone to send messages offering an “unlocked, brand new iPhone for sale”.

Judge’s co-accused, 34-year-old Jane Corcoran, who lived at the same address, was previously sentenced to six years in prison after admitting her role in helping to move the body. Despite her involvement, the court heard she posted on social media expressing hope that Mr Ring would return safely to his family.

CCTV footage showed Mr Ring arriving at the property in the early hours of 15 October. Shortly afterwards, Judge and Corcoran were recorded placing his body, wrapped in bedding, into the boot of a car before leaving the scene.

The court heard the pair had been actively seeking out Mr Ring the previous evening, with investigators believing the killing was linked to a dispute over a stolen car. Evidence included statements from Judge’s former partner, who said he admitted the killing, and a description as to how it took place.

A postmortem later found the cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia caused by pressure to the neck. When the body was recovered on 27 October, injuries consistent with the account were observed.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Ring’s mother, Linda Ring, said her family would “never forgive” her son’s killer, adding: “We are the ones who have to suffer a life sentence.”

She described the lasting impact of her son’s death, saying the family had been left with “a hole in their hearts that can never be filled”.

Sentencing Judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo described the case as “sad and shocking” and highlighted the prolonged suffering caused to the family, particularly due to the delay in recovering Mr Ring’s remains.

Outside court, the family said that while they were grateful those responsible had been held accountable, no sentence would bring Stephen back.

They described him as a much-loved son, brother and friend, adding that his loss had left their lives “emptier” and their home filled with enduring sadness.