Courts / Dublin / Report
Letters allegedly written by Melanie McNamara murder accused read to jury
Summary
In the murder trial of Daniel McDonnell, a 19‑year‑old charged with killing 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, the court heard that McDonnell, a protected prisoner at St Patrick's Institution, had written two letters while in Cell 17 on the B3 landing. Prison officer Richard Pielow testified that McDonnell had no contact with other inmates and that the letters were unsealed and read by officers as part of routine procedure. The letters, addressed to Lee McDonnell and Stephanie Tuite, contained violent and vulgar language, including the phrase "Two in the head. The bitch is dead." Assistant Chief Officer Tony Redmond read the letters aloud to the jury. McDonnell pleaded not guilty, and the trial continued before Mr Justice Paul Carney with a jury of six men and six women. The case remains pending.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Letters allegedly written by Melanie McNamara murder accused read to jury. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 8th 2012 Other
- March 3, 2012 Other
- 2014-01-21 Publication
Why: He first read a letter addressed to Lee McDonnell: "Keep running all them up to protection because this war ain't stopping. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
- 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
- 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
- Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request