Daniel McDonnell on trial for Melanie McCarthy McNamara murder

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

Daniel McDonnell is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with murdering Melanie McCarthy McNamara, and has pleaded not guilty. The trial began on 15 January 2014, and proceedings were reported on 16 January 2014.

Melanie McCarthy McNamara was shot in the head in the back of a car at Brookview Way, Tallaght, Dublin, on 8 February 2012. The prosecution said graffiti and two letters written by McDonnell were relevant to its case.

One letter said the shooting was intended for another person and that McDonnell did not know Melanie was in the car. Seán Byrne testified that he was driving when a jeep pulled alongside and a shot was discharged.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of six men and six women.