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'Crack crazy' shooter opened fired on dad-of-two at door of own home, court hears

2026-02-16 · Lanesborough, Longford · Central Criminal Court

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A 45-year-old man was fatally shot at his home in Ballymun, Dublin, on 5 October 2018 after answering his patio door. Joseph Richards, with an address at Lanesborough Square in Finglas, Dublin, was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to conspiring to murder the victim. Detective Sergeant Patrick O'Toole told the court that the deceased had received a Garda Information Message warning of a threat to his life and had armed himself with a knife before answering the door. A post-mortem examination found two fatal gunshot wounds to the victim's face. Richards, who has 99 previous convictions, is currently serving a six-year five-month prison sentence. The court heard a witness account in which Richards allegedly admitted to the killing, stating he had been motivated by drug addiction and payment. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case to 24 February for finalisation.

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