Courts / Dublin / Report

Sentence imposed on teen who murdered Urantsetseg Tserendorj was 'disproportionate', lawyers argue

Date
2023-12-07

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Court of Appeal heard that a 17‑year‑old who murdered Urantsetseg Tserendorj was sentenced to life imprisonment with a review after 13 years, a decision his barrister Mark Lynam SC described as disproportionate. Lynam argued that the teenager, who had 31 prior convictions, should have received a determinate sentence or an earlier review, citing international pressure to move away from life sentences for minors. He contended that the offender's intent was to cause serious harm rather than to kill, and that his age and lack of maturity warranted a different approach. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sean Guerin SC, maintained that the judge's discretion was justified, noting the defendant's armed robbery intent and the victim's vulnerability. The case remains pending a judgment set for December 19, 2023. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty and was found guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sentence imposed on teen who murdered Urantsetseg Tserendorj was 'disproportionate', lawyers argue. Charges or matters: her manslaughter on January 29, 2021; her murder by a jury last year following two trials; murder, the judge found that his intent was to cause serious harm rather than to kill. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

December 19 Incident
January 29, 2021 Incident
January 20, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
January 29 Hearing Or Sentence
January 18 Other
2023-12-07 Publication

Why: Mr Lynam told the court that internationally, Ireland is being encouraged to move away from life sentences for children because they can be "inhuman and degrading". CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Appellant

Charges: her manslaughter on January 29, 2021; her murder by a jury last year following two trials; murder, the judge found that his intent was to cause serious harm rather than to kill (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Sean Guerin SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said the sentence imposed by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court was within the range of discretion available.