Dad of five gunned down at mother's house was due to return to UK

Thomas McCarthy, a fifty-five-year-old father of five, was shot dead at his mother's home in Ballyfermot, Dublin, on 27 July 2020, having been due to return to England that same evening following a three-week visit. The Central Criminal Court heard that Mr McCarthy sustained nine separate gunshot injuries when he answered the door, apparently to what he believed was a postal delivery. Charles McClean, aged thirty-four, of Clondalkin, and Mark Lee, aged thirty-two, of Lucan, have each admitted to facilitating a criminal organisation in connection with the fatal shooting. Detective evidence established that Mr McCarthy had no involvement in criminality and there was no apparent motive for the attack. Victim impact statements were read to the court describing the profound devastation caused to Mr McCarthy's family and his long-term partner. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded McClean in custody and Lee on continuing bail to 27 April for sentencing.