From Nightmare to Recovery: Cork Filmmaker Documents Sleepwalking Trauma
Bizarre/Strange
Thursday 10th, April 2025
4 minute read.
A Cork based filmmaker was hospitalised after a sleepwalking episode in January resulted in him smashing his bedroom window and severely injuring his hand.
David Murphy, 27, originally from Tralee and currently living in Cork city, had experienced minor instances of sleepwalking in the past. However, the episode earlier this year led to significant injury and weeks of rehabilitation. Murphy described waking up to find his hand “dripping with blood” after punching through four panes of glass in his sleep.
“I have experienced sleepwalking before but nothing like this. It was becoming more frequent in the lead-up to the incident at the end of January”, he told CorkBeo.
Murphy said he had been experiencing a nightmare where he believed he was trapped in a room with the walls closing in. Attempting to escape in his dream, he punched what he believed to be the wall. In reality, he had shattered his bedroom window. His partner, Marina, was present at the time and tried to wake him.
Murphy was immediately taken to Cork University Hospital by his partner, where he received approximately 45 stitches. He has since been undergoing physiotherapy in an effort to regain full function in his right hand.
He also addressed the widely held belief that waking a sleepwalker is dangerous, stating, “Especially if they’re about to put themselves in harm’s way.”
Murphy is currently receiving psychiatric support to address the underlying causes of his sleepwalking, medically known as somnambulism. He said the condition was linked to stress and a fear of death, which was described as a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
He added that using a sleep mask, earplugs, and meditation has led to less disruptive sleep. As a precaution, a foam sheet is now placed over the window at night.
Murphy, whose work includes video production for Cork City FC and touring comedians, said his injury has significantly affected his ability to work. However, he has been documenting the recovery process and hopes to turn it into a short film.
Murphy praised the staff at Cork University Hospital and expressed gratitude to his partner.
David Murphy, 27, originally from Tralee and currently living in Cork city, had experienced minor instances of sleepwalking in the past. However, the episode earlier this year led to significant injury and weeks of rehabilitation. Murphy described waking up to find his hand “dripping with blood” after punching through four panes of glass in his sleep.
“I have experienced sleepwalking before but nothing like this. It was becoming more frequent in the lead-up to the incident at the end of January”, he told CorkBeo.
Murphy said he had been experiencing a nightmare where he believed he was trapped in a room with the walls closing in. Attempting to escape in his dream, he punched what he believed to be the wall. In reality, he had shattered his bedroom window. His partner, Marina, was present at the time and tried to wake him.
“She had been shouting to try and wake me up, but neither her nor the pain could wake me. It was only the light coming on. The first thing I remember when she turned on the light was looking down and seeing my hand dripping with blood. I punched through four different panes of glass."
“Luckily the panes are small and we’re on the ground floor, so I couldn’t have fallen out. I’m lucky I actually have a memory of the nightmare – otherwise I wouldn’t be able to explain what happened.”
Murphy was immediately taken to Cork University Hospital by his partner, where he received approximately 45 stitches. He has since been undergoing physiotherapy in an effort to regain full function in his right hand.
He also addressed the widely held belief that waking a sleepwalker is dangerous, stating, “Especially if they’re about to put themselves in harm’s way.”
Murphy is currently receiving psychiatric support to address the underlying causes of his sleepwalking, medically known as somnambulism. He said the condition was linked to stress and a fear of death, which was described as a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“The psychiatrist linked it to my own fear of death, for myself, my friends and loved ones – a form of OCD. I was prescribed an antidepressant to help with the overthinking. At first I felt like taking medication would be like giving in in some way – but it’s really helped.”
He added that using a sleep mask, earplugs, and meditation has led to less disruptive sleep. As a precaution, a foam sheet is now placed over the window at night.
Murphy, whose work includes video production for Cork City FC and touring comedians, said his injury has significantly affected his ability to work. However, he has been documenting the recovery process and hopes to turn it into a short film.
“I wanted to document all the different stages. At the beginning I wasn’t allowed to bend my fingers – but now I’m working towards making a fist again. I’m about nine weeks into recovery and I’m expected to mostly recover in 12 weeks – so three more weeks.”
Murphy praised the staff at Cork University Hospital and expressed gratitude to his partner.
“Thanks to my girlfriend Marina who drove me to the hospital in the middle of the night and has been right by my side the entire time since. Cooking me meals, driving me to hospital appointments, zipping up my jackets, and everything else."
“This likely happened due to stress and anxiety so I’m looking after myself now more than ever. I’ve been documenting this process as much as I’ve been able to so hopefully I’ll get a cool little film out of it.”
