Courts / Dublin / Report

Sentences imposed on callous car thieves who left businessman to die were too lenient, State says

Summary

The Court of Appeal was told by the Director of Public Prosecutions that the sentences imposed on Adam Murphy, aged 22, and Keith McCormick Smith, aged 23, for a crime spree that left businessman Ian McDonnell dead were too lenient. Murphy had been sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for manslaughter, with the final two and a half years suspended on strict conditions, and also pleaded guilty to multiple vehicle‑theft offences. McCormick Smith received a sentence of three years and two months' imprisonment, with the final twelve months suspended. The DPP argued that the suspended portions should not have been fully suspended and that the headline sentences should have been higher, citing the seriousness of the offences and the fact that McDonnell was left to die while the offenders continued their crime spree. The court reserved judgment on the matter.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sentences imposed on callous car thieves who left businessman to die were too lenient, State says. Charges or matters: 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: appeal

When:

• January 23, 2022 Incident
• January 28, 2022 Other
• February 8, 2022 Incident
• 2024-10-17 Publication

Why: Murphy, of Cherry Orchard Crescent, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for manslaughter, but Judge Dara Hayes suspended the final two and a half years on strict conditions in order to incentivise rehabilitation. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report