Courts / Dublin / Report
'Crack crazy' shooter in 'meticulously planned' killing gets seven years
Summary
A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to murder. Joseph Richards, aged 35 and from Lanesborough Square in Finglas, was convicted in connection with the death of Robert Sheridan, 45, who was shot at his front door in Ballymun on 5 October 2018. Mr Justice Paul McDermott found the killing was meticulously planned and involved considerable coordination to lure the victim to answer the door. Richards, who initially faced a murder charge, will serve the seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with six months suspended, after completing his current prison term, resulting in an effective sentence exceeding twelve years. The judge noted Richards has ninety-nine previous convictions and acknowledged his guilty plea and efforts to address drug addiction while imprisoned. The victim's family delivered impact statements describing the lasting trauma caused by his death.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Crack crazy' shooter in 'meticulously planned' killing gets seven years. Charges or matters: conspiracy to murder. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 5, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 5 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2021 Other
- 2026-02-24 Publication
Why: She said Mr Sheridan had armed himself with a knife before answering the door because he feared for his safety. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: conspiracy to murder (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge imposed a sentence of seven-and-a-half years with the final six months suspended for two years on condition that Richards continue to work with the probation services. Mr Justice McDermott directed that the sentence on the conspiracy charge should commence after Richards has completed the term he is currently serving, meaning that he will undergo an effective sentence of more than 12 years.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Poppintree
- Poppintree Crescent
- Ballymun
- Lanesborough
- Lanesborough Square
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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