Courts / Dublin / Report

More juvenile murder appeals 'coming down the tracks' following Supreme Court ruling, judge notes

Date
2025-11-14

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The President of the Court of Appeal, Ms Justice Caroline Costello, noted that several cases involving young offenders sentenced to life for murder are likely to be reviewed following a Supreme Court ruling that life sentences for child killers should only be imposed in exceptional circumstances. Two 17‑year‑olds have applied for extensions to challenge their sentences. Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC seeks more time for his client, who received a life sentence for the 2018 murder of Adam Muldoon, stabbed 183 times. Mr Ó Lideadha said many similar applications exist, but the DPP will advise the court. Solicitor Patrick Geraghty, representing the DPP, explained that the Supreme Court held life sentences with review are not recognised in law and that the DPP is examining cases where a review is possible. Mr Geraghty cited the case of a teenager convicted for the murder of Cameron Blair, noting it has been adjourned to December 5 for further consideration. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: More juvenile murder appeals 'coming down the tracks' following Supreme Court ruling, judge notes. Charges or matters: murder. "In the case where a life sentence is imposed simplicitor we are reviewing that," Mr Geraghty said, noting one one such case has already been adjourned to December 5 to allow the DPP more time to consider the matter. "We will have formulated an approach as to whether we are objecting to an enlargement of time or allowing it," he said, adding: "When we are dealing with a life sentence with a review then obviously the Supreme Court decision pretty much covers that." However, Mr Geraghty said in relation to life sentences in other cases, the DPP has to "look at the maths" and then "make a decision as to what attitude we are going to adopt". Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

January 16th, 2020 Adjournment
December 5 Adjournment
May 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2025-11-14 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Defendant

Charges: murder. "In the case where a life sentence is imposed simplicitor we are reviewing that," Mr Geraghty said, noting one one such case has already been adjourned to December 5 to allow the DPP more time to consider the matter. "We will have formulated an approach as to whether we are objecting to an enlargement of time or allowing it," he said, adding: "When we are dealing with a life sentence with a review then obviously the Supreme Court decision pretty much covers that." However, Mr Geraghty said in relation to life sentences in other cases, the DPP has to "look at the maths" and then "make a decision as to what attitude we are going to adopt" (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; The President of the Court of Appeal has noted that a number of cases are likely to be "coming down the tracks" concerning young offenders sentenced for murder, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this year. Ms Justice Costello noted there are a number of these cases "coming down the tracks, for obvious reasons", referring to the Supreme Court's landmark decision last March which found that life sentences for child killers should only be imposed in exceptional circumstances.; The defendant was 17 when he pleaded guilty to murder. "In the case where a life sentence is imposed simplicitor we are reviewing that," Mr Geraghty said, noting one one such case has already been adjourned to December 5 to allow the DPP more time to consider the matter. "We will have formulated an approach as to whether we are objecting to an enlargement of time or allowing it," he said, adding: