Courts / Dublin / Report

Businessman killed as he tried to stop serial car thief taking his vehicle

Date
2023-12-21

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Adam Murphy, aged 22, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he threw businessman Ian McDonnell from the bonnet of McDonnell's own car while attempting to steal it. Murphy also pleaded guilty to multiple counts of vehicle theft, attempted vehicle theft, property theft and possession of stolen property. His co‑accused, Keith McCormick Smith, also pleaded guilty to similar offences. The court heard that McDonnell was stopped at his business, Ozone Car Sales, and that Murphy and Smith had stolen several cars earlier that day. CCTV footage showed Murphy driving McDonnell's car, accelerating, and throwing McDonnell 46 metres before the car was abandoned. McDonnell was taken to Tallaght Hospital but died on 28 January 2022. The court noted the maximum sentence for manslaughter is life, but the Director of Public Prosecutions suggested a 10‑15 year range. The case was adjourned for finalisation on 12 February.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Businessman killed as he tried to stop serial car thief taking his vehicle. Charges or matters: one count of the manslaughter of Ian McDonnell on January 23, 2022; two counts of attempting to take a vehicle, three counts of stealing three vehicles, one count of attempting to steal property from a vehicle and one count of stealing a push bike at various locations throughout Dublin on the same date; two counts of attempting to take a vehicle, three counts of stealing three vehicles, one count of attempting to steal property from a vehicle, one count of stealing a push bike at various locations in Dublin on January 23, 2022; one count of possession of stolen property in the form of a car key at his address on February 8, 2022. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

January 23, 2022 Incident
February 8, 2022 Incident
January 28, 2022 Incident
February 16, 2022 Incident
February 14 Incident
December 21 Hearing Or Sentence
February 12 Other
2023-12-21 Publication

Case subjects

Adam Murphy

Accused

Charges: one count of the manslaughter of Ian McDonnell on January 23, 2022; two counts of attempting to take a vehicle, three counts of stealing three vehicles, one count of attempting to steal property from a vehicle and one count of stealing a push bike at various locations throughout Dublin on the same date; two counts of attempting to take a vehicle, three counts of stealing three vehicles, one count of attempting to steal property from a vehicle, one count of stealing a push bike at various locations in Dublin on January 23, 2022; one count of possession of stolen property in the form of a car key at his address on February 8, 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He noted the "heart breaking" victim impact statements and the views of the Director of Public Prosecutions before adjourning the matter for finalisation on February 12 next.

Keith McCormick Smith

Co Accused

Charges: two counts of attempting to take a vehicle, three counts of stealing three vehicles, one count of attempting to steal property from a vehicle, one count of stealing a push bike at various locations in Dublin on January 23, 2022; one count of possession of stolen property in the form of a car key at his address on February 8, 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He noted the "heart breaking" victim impact statements and the views of the Director of Public Prosecutions before adjourning the matter for finalisation on February 12 next.