Man jailed for murder of Steven Ring whose body was 'dumped like a piece of rubbish'

Fiona Magennis

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Steven Ring, who was tied up, choked and dumped in a Wexford quarry where his body lay undiscovered for almost two weeks.

The Central Criminal Court heard murderer Christopher Judge had also stolen Ring's new mobile and, while a missing persons search was underway, had messaged people offering an "unlocked, brand new iPhone for sale".

While the deceased's body lay in Carrigfoyle Quarry, "dumped like a piece of rubbish," Judge's co-accused Jane Corcoran posted on Facebook saying she hoped he would return home safely to his family.

Corcoran (34), also with an address at Pairc na Dara, was jailed for six years last month after she pleaded guilty to helping Judge to move Ring’s body.

Addressing her son’s murderer as he was jailed for life on Friday, Linda Ring said: “We as a family will never forgive you. We are the ones who have to suffer a life sentence."

She added: "I hope that you see my son's face every time you close your eyes. I hope you rot in hell.”

Judge (42), with an address at Pairc na Dara, Clonard, Co Wexford, pleaded guilty earlier this month to murdering 27-year-old Mr Ring at that address on October 15th, 2024.

Steven Ring was first reported missing by his mother on October 17th, 2024.

A massive search operation involving gardaí, garda diving units and the civil defence continued over the following 10days before Mr Ring's body was eventually found in the Carraigfoyle Quarry by two children out fishing.

Evidence

Earlier, Detective Inspector Pádhraic Roberts told prosecuting counsel, Bernard Condon, that Stephen Ring was last seen alive by his grandfather, who dropped him off at a housing estate in Wexford on the night before he was murdered.

Ring was subsequently captured on CCTV at 2:51am on October 15th, approaching the door of the property at Pairc na Dara.

Just over an hour later, Jane Corcoran was seen reversing a car into the driveway and opening the boot.

A short time later, the pair were seen carrying Mr Ring’s body, wrapped in sheets or a blanket, to the boot of the car.

Detective Inspector Roberts said the CCTV captured Christopher Judge saying: “Is he in?”

The vehicle left the residence and returned shortly before 7am.

Gardaí subsequently received a statement from the defendant's former girlfriend, who said Judge had made admissions to her that he had been involved in seeking out and killing Ring.

The Det Insp said on the evening of October 14th, Judge and Corcoran drove to Enniscorthy, actively looking for Stephen Ring. They made a phone call to one of his friends and said they would call his home if he didn't make contact.

Det Insp Roberts said gardaí believe the incident was related to a stolen Jaguar car that Christopher Judge believed was in Stephen Ring’s possession.

He said Judge told his ex-girlfriend: "He is dead. Stephen, the chap with the Jaguar".

She said the defendant told her he had put two Stanley blades together and cut Ring on the cheek and then choked him.

Judge was interviewed on eight occasions. He initially told gardaí that everything would come out in the end, but that he "never set out to hurt or harm anyone".

He later denied the allegations and claimed he had been putting a scooter into the car.

The court heard that the defendant has 27 previous convictions, including those for theft and fraud, drugs offences and one for possession of a knife.

In a Victim Impact Statement, Ms Ring said her family have been left “with a hole in their hearts that can never be filled”.