Courts / Dublin / Report

Serial thief who killed businessman as he tried to stop him stealing car gets 9.5 years

Date
2024-02-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Adam Murphy, aged 22, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ian McDonnell on 23 January 2022. Murphy and co‑accused Keith McCormick Smith, also 22, were involved in a spree of vehicle thefts. On the day in question, Murphy stole McDonnell's car while he was at work, drove off with McDonnell on the bonnet, and threw him from the bonnet onto the road where he died shortly after. The court heard CCTV footage of the incident and the subsequent disposal of McDonnell's vehicle. Judge Dara Hayes sentenced Murphy to 12 years' imprisonment, suspending the final 2½ years on strict conditions, and disqualified him from driving for 12 years. McCormick‑Smith received a three‑year, two‑month sentence, with the final 12 months suspended, and a seven‑year driving disqualification.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Serial thief who killed businessman as he tried to stop him stealing car gets 9.5 years. Charges or matters: 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 and 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: sentence

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
2024-02-12 Publication

Why: Murphy was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment but Judge Hayes suspended the final two and a half years on strict conditions in order to incentivise rehabilitation. CNI source report

Case subjects

Adam Murphy

Accused

Charges: 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 and 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: Murphy was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment but Judge Hayes suspended the final two and a half years on strict conditions in order to incentivise rehabilitation. Murphy was disqualified from driving for 12 years from today's date and McCormick-Smith was disqualified for seven years.

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 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 and 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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He sentenced McCormick-Smith to three years and two months' imprisonment, but suspended the final twelve months on strict conditions. Murphy was disqualified from driving for 12 years from today's date and McCormick-Smith was disqualified for seven years.