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23/09/01 - BILLY MURRAY KO'D BY 20ST HARDMAN
Real-life villain flattens TV cop over Essex gag
Sunday People
TELLY cop Billy Murray was knocked unconscious in a violent
punch-up with a fearsome 20-stone prizefighter. Billy, who played
tough detective Don Beech in The Bill, was struck from behind
after being grabbed by hardman Bernard O'Mahoney at a charity
event.
The 55-year-old star was flattened in front of stunned guests
including his wife and other TV stars. Self-confessed villain
O'Mahoney, 40, went into a rage after Murray turned his back
on him at an annual charity ball in a marquee at Chigwell, Essex.
Shocked partygoers watched as Murray was knocked to the ground
and kicked in the ribs. A witness said: "Both men were
at the bar and suddenly it all kicked off. Billy was sent sprawling
on the floor and went out like a light."When he came to
about 30 seconds later they had to be separated by other guests."
Nearly 200 guests including TV stars Dean Gaffney, Shane Ritchie
and Kenny Lynch watched in horror as the children's charity
evening turned ugly. Another witness said: "It ruined the
party. Billy was at the bar while his wife Elaine was on the
dance floor.
"I think someone had been telling jokes about Essex girls
and then all hell was let loose. Bernard looks about 20 stones
- twice the size of Billy - and whacked him around the head.
As he fell to the ground he was kicked in the side and lay on
the floor spark out.
"People then crowded round to stop anything further but
by then the damage had been done. Billy looked like his eye
was gashed because it was all swelling up." O'Mahoney was
head of security at the Essex nightclub where teenager Leah
Betts died after taking an Ecstacy tablet six years ago.
He was also a friend of three drug dealers shot dead in a Range
Rover in Essex later that year. O'Mahoney told the Sunday People:
"It was something and nothing over a silly remark about
Essex people."
Murray refused to comment. |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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