Courts / Dublin / Report

Melanie McNamara murder accused admits writing cell wall graffiti

Summary

During his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Daniel McDonnell, a 19‑year‑old charged with the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, admitted to writing graffiti on his cell wall while detained at Tallaght Garda Station. The graffiti included phrases such as "2 in the head. The bitch is dead" and references to Melanie's boyfriend, Christopher Moran, using derogatory terms. Garda Francis Glennon, who was the jailer, photographed the graffiti and testified that it was signed by McDonnell. The prosecution presented the photographs to the jury. The trial also covered the forensic evidence of Melanie's death, with Dr Khalid Jabbar describing a fatal shotgun wound to her left temple and the presence of numerous pellets. The case proceeded to legal argument before Mr Justice Paul Carney, with the jury scheduled to return on Tuesday. The unnamed 19-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Melanie McNamara murder accused admits writing cell wall graffiti. Charges or matters: murdering the 16-year-old on February 8th 2012 at nearby Brookview Way. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 8th 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• February 2012 Other
• 2014-01-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report