Courts / Dublin / Report
Family address 'deranged monster' who claimed partner stabbed herself to death
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 21 November 2023, the family of Amadea McDermott, aged 27, presented victim impact statements after her murder on 20 July 2017. The sisters, Olivia, Euphrasia, Eucharia and brother Zack, accused Martin Hayes, 34, of coercive control, physical abuse and a hidden phone tracker. They described the fatal stab wound to Amadea's abdomen and the extensive bruising found at the scene. Hayes had pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict. The court heard that Hayes admitted using violence and had accessed Amadea's phone via a hidden app. He had also claimed Amadea had self‑harmed, a claim the prosecution rejected. The sentencing hearing was scheduled for 28 November 2023, with Hayes remanded in custody. The family urged the court to consider the abuse and the impact on their lives. The case remains in the Central Criminal Court. Martin Hayes was acquitted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Family address 'deranged monster' who claimed partner stabbed herself to death. Charges or matters: murdering the mother of two at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock on or about July 20, 2017; the murder of Amadea on April 4, 2022, he said. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- July 20, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 8, 2020 Incident
- July 19 Other
- April 4, 2022 Incident
- November 28 Adjournment
- Christmas Eve Other
- 2023-11-21 Publication
Why: "She should be here today but she can't because of a killer. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering the mother of two at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock on or about July 20, 2017; the murder of Amadea on April 4, 2022, he said (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; SENTENCE HEARING At today's sentence hearing, Detective Sergeant Anthony Maloney detailed the background to the case.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Rathvale Drive
- Beaumont Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Car thief who rammed gardai to be sentenced 23 years after offences
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Veteran lorry driver has conviction for failing to remain at accident scene overturned
- Mountjoy inmate made 'graphic' threats to prison officers
- 'They're not OK, so you can stop saying that': Riad Bouchaker denied that he 'went for the smallest children' in alleged Parnell Square attack
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request