Courts / Dublin / Report
Paralysed mum describes moment 'evil, sadistic' neighbour tried to murder her
Summary
A 34-year-old mother, Sinead Connolly, described how her neighbor Dean McCarthy, 33, shot her three times in her home, leaving her permanently paralysed. McCarthy, who had a history of abusive behavior towards her and her daughter, entered her home with a gun and fired multiple shots. The court heard that McCarthy had previously called Ms Connolly a 'whore' and threatened to leave her in a 'body bag'. CCTV footage showed four masked men outside McCarthy's flat before the shooting. McCarthy was accidentally shot during the incident and later pleaded guilty to attempted murder and possession of a firearm. Ms Connolly's victim impact statement detailed the severe physical and emotional consequences of the attack, including her reliance on medical care and the impact on her daughter. McCarthy's defense argued that the incident was not premeditated and that he had no intention to harm Ms Connolly, but the court noted the severity of her injuries and the long-term impact on her life.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Paralysed mum describes moment 'evil, sadistic' neighbour tried to murder her. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6, 2021 Incident
- March 6 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 29 Incident
- March 8 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 26 Adjournment
- 2022-04-08 Publication
Why: This is extremely hard because we are so close, my daughter has had to leave home and change schools but no child should ever have to witness her mother covered in blood, lying unconscious on the floor. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Dean McCarthy (33), who is Ms Connolly's neighbour, with an address at Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell Road, Dublin 12 appeared at the court today for his sentence hearing, having pleaded guilty last January to her attempted murder on March 6, 2021.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The Central Criminal Court heard during today's sentence hearing that 33-year-old Dean McCarthy "burst into" Sinead Connolly's (34) home with a gun "in a rush of adrenaline" and repeatedly shot her while her eight-year-old daughter hid under the kitchen table. Dean McCarthy (33), who is Ms Connolly's neighbour, with an address at Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell Road, Dublin 12 appeared at the court today for his sentence hearing, having pleaded guilty last January to her attempted murder on March 6, 2021.
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
- Bernard Curtis House
- St James's Hospital
- Mater Hospital
- National Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bluebell Road
- Dublin
- Tom Cooney of Kilmainham Garda Station
Topics
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