On this day in March 2015, Graham Dwyer, who lived in Foxrock and was an architect, was found guilty of murdering Elaine O’Hara, and here we look inside his prison life so far
Sex beast Graham Dwyer(Image: Collins)
It was 11 years ago this week when Graham Dwyer leaned forward in his seat, puffed out his cheeks and shook his head, after he was convicted of a murder that sent shockwaves across Ireland.
Dwyer, a violent sadomasochist, stabbed vulnerable childcare worker Elaine O’Hara to death on Kilakee Mountain in Rathfarnham in August 2012.
He killed her the day after she left a psychiatric hospital. One chilling text message in the lead-up to her brutal death revealed that he was going to punish her for trying to take her own life without him.
Her body was discovered on September 13, 2013. Dwyer, who was originally from Bandon, Cork and lived in Foxrock, Dublin, was eventually convicted of murder on March 27, 2015.
Elaine O’Hara was a childcare worker who was murdered in 2012
The former architect received a life sentence after murdering Elaine for his own sexual gratification — and below we examine more closely what his time behind bars has looked like so far.
The most recent development regarding Dwyer’s prison existence emerged just last month when it was reported that he received “racy pictures” for Valentine’s Day.
Midlands Prison staff in Portlaoise had to seize inappropriate snaps and cards sent to the sicko from women all over the world.
A source told the Irish Sun: “Dwyer seems to still have a huge number of female admirers from around the world. A few from America who send him letters often too.
Midlands Prison Portlaoise
“A large number of them are members of the BDSM community who appear to like his kinky side. While he didn’t receive as many cards and packages as normal this year, there was still a good amount.”
It is understood that Dwyer, who has been characterised as a recluse behind bars, dedicates time to responding to the women who contact him.
Back in 2017, it emerged that the sex offender had been labelled a “Casanova” — after composing love songs from his cell.
He was crafting ballads with his bass guitar and a source told the Irish Mirror that he regarded himself as a ladies man.
The source added: “Dwyer loves himself. He is very into his appearance and likes to take pride in what way his hair is.
“He plays the bass guitar for a few hours a day and has recently started writing his own songs. It’s not known who he’s writing the songs for, if anyone.
Graham Dwyer(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
“Women do write to him and I think that only adds fuel to the fire. He tells inmates the papers love him and when he is on the front page they sell more. He thinks he’s a bit of a celebrity.”
It was also reported that Dwyer once formed a rock band with notorious Cratloe rapist Stephen Barry, who was the lead singer, from behind bars.
Dwyer was previously in a 90s band called The Swing, and his former bandmate Steve Hadley said following his conviction: “I’ve been in shock from day one when I heard about his arrest and it will take a whilst to sink in that he’s been jailed for such a brutal and barbaric crime. He never discussed any bizarre fantasies.”
This year’s racy Valentine’s gifts were nothing unusual for Dwyer, as he was reportedly inundated with saucy photographs in 2022.
A source told Irish Mirror: “Dwyer has always been an inmate who gets a lot of post. Over the years, since being locked-up, he has had a steady flow of fan letters from women across the world. They range from those who fancy Dwyer as well as supporters who believe he is innocent.
“Staff go through and censor all of the post which has been sent into the jail for inmates. Letters are checked for contraband as well as raunchy material which is deemed inappropriate.
Dwyer has previously been described as a prison loner
“All explicit material was confiscated. Dwyer, like other prisoners, is only given post which doesn’t break any of the jail rules.”
He has also been described as “one of the cockiest inmates you could ever meet” before apparently transforming into “Mr Nice” and “charming”.
Throughout his time in Midlands Prison, he has maintained a fitness regime in the gym and pursued educational opportunities in the school.
His 51st birthday arrived in 2023, but falling on a Wednesday meant it was a solitary occasion, as visitors aren’t permitted on that day. Dwyer’s birthdays are always associated with Elaine, whose body was discovered on the day the fiend celebrated his 41st birthday. He was commemorating the event with his wife at a Mexican eatery when news of skeletal remains being discovered broke.
In 2024, it was reported that Dwyer had been attending IT classes in the prison where he spends his time indulging in his favourite pastime — playing music in his cell. Over the years, he has also been permitted to tend to the flowers and upkeep the grounds at the prison.
He is thought to reside on the enhanced protection wing known as A3 landing where he and other infamous inmates are segregated from prisoners serving time for much lesser offences. Being in the enhanced protection unit also affords him more access to the showers and gym.
For the majority of his sentence so far, he has been attempting to overturn his conviction, but the Supreme Court dismissed his final bid for freedom in 2024.
Subsequently, Elaine’s family expressed in a statement that they hoped their loved one “can now, at last, rest in peace”.
