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John Murphy |
Murphy construction empire founder dies
A RECLUSIVE Irish millionaire who built up a construction empire from a goods yard in Tufnell Park died yesterday (Thursday).
John Murphy, founder of the civil engineering company known by its ubiquitous dark green lorries, hitch-hiked from County Kerry in Ireland to London in the 1930s and made a fortune in the building trade during the post-war years.
Famously secretive about his personal life, it is believed Mr Murphy died at the age of 85, though some put his age closer to 100.
From the J Murphy and Sons headquarters in Highgate Road – complete with hives of bees – Mr Murphy owned 18 companies across Britain with business interests stretching as far as Greece and the Middle East.
Michael Donaghue, who worked with Mr Murphy in the 1950s, said: “I worked with John when we were up in Highgate. We were doing civil engineering jobs at the time. I was a driver, but in those days you had to do more than drive.”
Mr Donaghue, now retired, said: “He was a very hard man to work for, and he was a hard character too. The firm was already pretty big by then, and well established. Even in the 50s I would say he was already a millionaire, or at least a very rich man.”
Mr Murhpy was valued on The Sunday Times Rich List this year as worth £190milion. The company held many of the refurbishment contracts for the borough’s estates with Homes for Islington (HFI).
Mr Murphy apparently continued to visit the Tufnell Park site, taking breakfast with the workers, despite his advancing years and his huge fortune.
Regarded as a philanthropist and a pillar of the community by the Irish community, Mr Murphy and his company were pursued by the Inland Revenue over tax evasion in the 1970s, specifically over the system of employment known as “the lump”, by which workers hired themselves out to the highest bidder.
The company was fined £750,000 and several employees were jailed, though Mr Murphy was never charged himself.
He continued undaunted, travelling frequently for business though never splashing out on the trappings of a millionaire lifestyle.
Caroline Murphy, vice-chairman, and John Stack, managing director, said in a statement: “Mr Murphy’s vision has been the driving force behind the development and continued success of the company where he maintained an active role up to very recently. His presence and contribution will be sadly missed by employees, business associates, family and friends.” |
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Your comments:
London lost a great leader, for sure.
B. Rose
A wonderful man. It was a pleasure and a privilege to work for him.
A Sowerby
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