Courts / Dublin / Report
Melanie McCarthy murderer has conviction upheld on appeal
Summary
Daniel McDonnell, aged 23, was convicted of murdering 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara in Tallaght on 8 February 2012. The Central Criminal Court found that a shot from a stolen black Hyundai Santa Fe hit McCarthy in the head while she sat in a car with her boyfriend and a friend. McDonnell was arrested the following week and pleaded not guilty. He was found guilty by a jury after over four hours of deliberation and received a mandatory life sentence on 24 January 2014. McDonnell appealed in April, arguing the reliability of two letters he wrote while in custody. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ruling the trial was fair and the jury's verdict safe, and upheld the conviction. The appeal also rejected arguments about the letters' admissibility and the lack of other evidence. The case remains at the appeal stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Melanie McCarthy murderer has conviction upheld on appeal. Charges or matters: the murder of the Ms McNamara at Brookview Way in Tallaght on February 8th, 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 8th, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 24, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-06-20 Publication
Why: He explained why he considered the letters to be reliable and expressed his belief that the letters were written by McDonnell knowing they would be read by prison authorities. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of the Ms McNamara at Brookview Way in Tallaght on February 8th, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Condon indicated to the court that he wished to make submissions as to the severity of McDonnell's sentence, notwithstanding the mandatory imposition of a life sentence for murder.
Places mentioned
- Brookview Way
- The Central Criminal Court
- High Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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