Courts / Dublin / Report
Man moves to appeal 20-year sentence for killing teenager Melanie McCarthy McNamara
Summary
Keith Hall, aged 26, was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, who was shot in a car in Tallaght on 8 February 2012. Hall pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the plea. He was convicted by Mr Justice Paul Carney on 31 July 2013. Hall has now applied to appeal the sentence, arguing that the judge gave insufficient weight to mitigating factors such as his admissions, remorse, young age and guilty plea. His barrister, Caroline Biggs SC, contended that the judge's remarks did not clarify any discount applied and that Hall's intoxication with crack cocaine and benzodiazepines on the day of the offence should have been considered. The DPP's counsel, Brendan Grehan SC, noted that the judge had indicated the sentence was on the higher end of the manslaughter scale, between a life sentence and the maximum 20‑year term.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man moves to appeal 20-year sentence for killing teenager Melanie McCarthy McNamara. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 16-year-old Melanie, who was shot dead as she sat in a car with two others in Tallaght on February 8 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 8 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 31, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-12-03 Publication
Why: She said Hall was using intoxicants because they were part of his life. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 16-year-old Melanie, who was shot dead as she sat in a car with two others in Tallaght on February 8 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Hall moved to appeal his sentence today on grounds that the sentencing judge either ignored or gave insufficient weight to various mitigating factors and it was "utterly unknown" how the figure of 20 years was arrived at. Granting Hall a determinant sentence, where he had a release date, effectively mitigated the sentence that might have been forthcoming, Mr Grehan said.
Appellant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 16-year-old Melanie, who was shot dead as she sat in a car with two others in Tallaght on February 8 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Melanie McCarthy McNamara in Tallaght four years ago has moved to appeal his 20 years sentence for manslaughter.
Background Person
Outcome: Hall moved to appeal his sentence today on grounds that the sentencing judge either ignored or gave insufficient weight to various mitigating factors and it was "utterly unknown" how the figure of 20 years was arrived at.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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