Courts / Cork / Report
Murderer to stay in jail after Supreme Court rulings make appeal unviable
Summary
A 30‑year‑old man, Adam O'Keefe, lost his appeal against a life sentence for murdering his girlfriend, Amy McCarthy, in Cork. He had admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming intoxication and lack of intent. The Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty. O'Keefe's appeal argued that the trial judge failed to consider intoxication as a factor in the provocation defence. However, two Supreme Court judgments in 2020 and 2021 held that intoxication cannot be used to excuse a loss of self‑control in provocation. Justice Úna Ni Raifeartaigh, sitting with the Court President and Justice Patrick McCarthy, ruled that these judgments carried significant weight and that the trial judge's handling of provocation was correct. Consequently, the Court dismissed O'Keefe's appeal, leaving his life sentence intact.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murderer to stay in jail after Supreme Court rulings make appeal unviable. Charges or matters: the murder of Amy McCarthy in a squat in Cork city. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- July 2018 Other
- April 29th Hearing Or Sentence
- April 30th, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2020 Other
- 2021-07-28 Publication
Why: "The total loss of self-control in consequence of provocation cannot be because of intoxication on drink or drugs. CNI source report
Case subjects
Background Person
Charges: the murder of Amy McCarthy in a squat in Cork city (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Adam O'Keefe was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2018, after he was found guilty of the murder of Amy McCarthy in a squat in Cork city. She jailed O'Keeffe for life.; Counsel also noted that his client had lodged his appeal and submissions some time ago but had requested that his appeal be adjourned throughout the pandemic so that he could attend in person.
Places mentioned
- Sheares Street
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Supreme Court
Topics
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