Courts / Dublin / Report
Murderer's ex-girlfriend given Probation Act for failing to testify
Summary
In the Central Criminal Court, Stephanie Tuite, aged 20, was sentenced under the Probation Act for contempt of court after refusing to testify in the murder trial of Daniel McDonnell, who was jailed for life for killing 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara. McDonnell, 19, had written a letter to Tuite bragging about the murder, which was used as evidence. Tuite, listed as a prosecution witness, could not be located by the Gardaí during the trial; her statement was read to the jury instead. She was arrested on a bench warrant after the trial and apologized to the court through her barrister. Judge Paul Carney noted her fear of McDonnell and others, accepted her lack of prior convictions, and imposed a three‑month imprisonment under the Probation Act, allowing her to remain free pending future court appearances.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murderer's ex-girlfriend given Probation Act for failing to testify. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 7th 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-01-30 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: McDonnell (19) of Brookview Lawns, Tallaght was jailed for life last week, after being found guilty of murdering Melanie.
Convicted Person
Outcome: She went to ground in a very deliberate fashion," he said. "This was a clear and blatant contempt of this court." He said her contempt would merit three months of imprisonment, but added that it had not derailed the trial. "Stephanie Tuite found she'd been the girlfriend of an assassin prepared to kill a 16-and-half-year-old girl and then boast about it," he said. "That was clearly a terrifying experience for her and I accept that." He noted that she had no previous convictions and that recording a conviction against her could prevent her from travelling. "I don't want to blight her life in th
Places mentioned
- Dublin Central Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Glenshane Crescent
- Tallaght
Topics
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