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'Deranged monster' who beat and stabbed Amadea McDermott fails to have sentence reduced
Summary
Martin Hayes, aged 36, was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Amadea McDermott, aged 27, in a home in Coolock on 20 July 2017. He was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict in the Central Criminal Court in November 2023. Hayes had pleaded not guilty to murder and claimed that McDermott had stabbed herself, a claim the court rejected. He admitted using violence against her. Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced him to 12 years and six months, citing domestic violence and a history of aggressive behaviour. Hayes appealed, arguing the judge over‑weighted aggravating factors and under‑weighted mitigating ones. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy dismissed the appeal, affirming the 12‑year‑six‑month sentence and noting limited mitigating factors and significant aggravating domestic violence evidence. The appeal was rejected on the basis that the judge's factual findings were correct and the sentence was appropriate.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Deranged monster' who beat and stabbed Amadea McDermott fails to have sentence reduced. Charges or matters: murdering the mother-of-two at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock, on or about July 20, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- November 2023 Incident
- July 20, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-07-22 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: murdering the mother-of-two at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock, on or about July 20, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced him to 12 years and six months in November 2023. Imposing sentence in November 2023, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the killing was clearly a case of domestic violence and he noted that during her life, Hayes had tracked Ms McDermott's movements using a secret app on her phone.
Convicted Person
Charges: murdering the mother-of-two at her home in Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock, on or about July 20, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; James Dwyer SC, defence counsel for Hayes, also argued that inadequate weight was given to the mitigating factors in the case resulting in a final sentence that was "higher than it should have been". Imposing sentence in November 2023, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the killing was clearly a case of domestic violence and he noted that during her life, Hayes had tracked Ms McDermott's movements using a secret app on her phone.
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