Daniel McDonnell jailed for life for Melanie McNamara murder

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Daniel McDonnell was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering 16-year-old Melanie McCarthy McNamara at the Central Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 24 January 2014.

A jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict on 23 January 2014 after a seven-day trial. McDonnell had pleaded not guilty to the murder on 8 February 2012.

The report said Melanie was shot in the head while sitting in a car with her boyfriend and his friend in Tallaght. It said a stolen black Hyundai Santa Fe pulled alongside the car and a shot was discharged from it.

Evidence included graffiti on McDonnell’s cell wall and two letters describing involvement in the murder. His barrister called the writings “rants to his friend and girlfriend”, while the prosecution said there was no explanation for them other than admissions of guilt.

Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed the mandatory penalty for murder: imprisonment for life.