Courts / Dublin / Report

Keith Hall has 20-year jail sentence for the shooting of Melanie McCarthy McNamara reduced on appeal

Date
2016-01-21

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Keith Hall, aged 26, was sentenced to 20 years 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. On appeal, the Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence, re‑imposed 20 years as the headline figure and suspended the final two‑and‑a‑half years. The appeal argued that the sentencing judge had not adequately considered mitigating factors such as Hall's drug addiction, dysfunctional background, remorse, family support and prospects for rehabilitation. The Court of Appeal found the judge's failure to specify the extent of any discount a departure from best practice, and ordered Hall to enter a bond to keep the peace during the suspended period. Hall was not directly involved in the shooting but assisted in events before and after the incident.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Keith Hall has 20-year jail sentence for the shooting of Melanie McCarthy McNamara reduced on appeal. 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
February 8, 2012 Other
2016-01-21 Publication

Case subjects

Keith Hall

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: His manslaughter plea was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Central Criminal Court and he was subsequently sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul Carney on July 31 2013. Hall was required to enter into his own bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the suspended period of his sentence.

Melanie McCarthy McNamara

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)