58 – Murder by Mistake: Melanie McCarthy McNamara

Gangs and drugs effect nearly every community. But in 2012, the Dublin suburb of Tallaght was shocked by the spillover of violence. 16 year old Melanie McCarthy McNamara was shot while she sat in the back of a parked car on a residential street. The gunman had shot from the back of a black SUV and sped off immediately. 

Two men alleged to be involved in drugs locally were identified by gardai, and after protracted court battles have found themselves in prison in relation to Melanie’s killing.

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Quinn’s Song: The Dance Begins Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Additional Music:   Allemande (Sting) by Wahneta Meixsell. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sources:

Conor Lally and Stephen Carroll, “ Youngest victim of gang crime was not target, gardai say” in The Irish Times (9 February 2012) p. 1.   

Conor Lally, “Girl was killed in well-planned attack, say gardai” in The Irish Times (9 February 2012) p. 3.   

Stephen Carroll, “Residents express shock at violence against ‘young girl’” in The Irish Times (9 February 2012) p. 3.   

Conor Lally, “Gardai identify two men linked to murder of Tallaght teenager” in The Irish Independent (10 February 2012) p. 5.   

Conor Lally, “Suspects in girl’s murder on run in Ireland” in The Irish Times (11 February 2012) p. 7. 

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Mark Hennessy, “London funeral for shooting victim” in The Irish Times (18 February 2012) p. 7.   

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“Probation act applied for failure to testify during murder trial” in The Irish Times (31 January 2014) p. 8.   

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Ruaidhri Giblin, “Court hears girl’s killer suffering from psychiatric illness’” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/court-hears-girl-s-killer-suffering-from-psychiatric-illness-1.3308412 (28 November 2017)   

“Man has jail term reduced over McCarthy McNamara killing” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/man-has-jail-term-reduced-over-mccarthy-mcnamara-killing-1.2505907 (21 January 2016)   

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Aodhan O’Faolain, “Daniel McDonnell brings fresh action against prison conditions” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/daniel-mcdonnell-brings-fresh-action-against-prison-conditions-1.2119198 (26 February 2015)  

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“Solitary for Melanie McCarthy McNamara killer a ‘violation’” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/solitary-for-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-killer-a-violation-1.2107445 (17 February 2015)   

“Killer of Melanie McCarthy McNamara contests 23-hour lock-up” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/killer-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-contests-23-hour-lock-up-1.2097352 (9 February 2015)   

Natasha Reid, “Life in prison for murder of Melanie McCarthy McNamara” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/life-in-prison-for-murder-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-1.1667383 (24 January 2014)   

Ruaidhri Giblin, “Man who write letters allegedly bragging about involvement in innocent teenage girl’s murder has conviction upheld” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-who-wrote-letters-allegedly-bragging-about-involvement-in-innocent-teenage-girls-murder-has-conviction-upheld-37031727.html (20 June 2018)   

Ruaidhri Giblin, “Man serving life for murder of Melanie McCarthy McNamara (16) suffering from ‘psychiatric illness’” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-serving-life-for-murder-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-16-suffering-from-psychiatric-illness-36360699.html (28 November 2017)   

Ruaidhri Giblin, “Man jailed for shooting of Melanie McCarthy McNamara has jail term cut” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-jailed-for-shooting-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-has-jail-term-cut-34384400.html (21 January 2016)   

Ruaidhri Giblin, “Man jailed for shooting Melanie McCarthy McNamara has jail term cut” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-jailed-for-shooting-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-has-jail-term-cut-34384400.html (21 January 2016)   

Ruaidhri Giblin, “Man jailed for mistaken shooting of Melanie McCarthy McNamara moves to appeal 20 – year sentence” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-jailed-for-mistaken-shooting-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-moves-to-appeal-20year-sentence-34256453.html (3 December 2015)   

“Murderer Daniel McDonnell’s detention in solitary confinement  for a year was not a breach of his rights, court rules” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/murderer-daniel-mcdonnells-detention-in-solitary-confinement-for-a-year-was-not-a-breach-of-his-rights-court-rules-31418682.html (31 July 2015)   

Tim Healy, “Melanie’s murderer must be allowed more time out of jail cell, court rules” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/melanies-murderer-must-be-allowed-more-time-out-of-jail-cell-court-rules-31083061.html (20 March 2015)   

Tim Healy, “Prison’s governor to appeal court’s decision that almost 12 months of solitary confinement for Melanie McNamara killer is ‘breach of rights’” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/prisons-governor-to-appeal-courts-decision-that-almost-12-months-of-solitary-confinement-for-melanie-mcnamara-killer-is-breach-of-rights-31009167.html (20 February 2015)   

“Melanie McCarthy McNamara murderer brings court challenge against 23-hr-a-day lock up” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-murderer-brings-court-challenge-against-23houraday-lockup-30977690.html(9February 2015)   

Eimear Cotter, “Girlfriend of Melanie’s murderer ‘petrified’” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-murderer-brings-court-challenge-against-23houraday-lockup-30977690.html (30 January 2014)   

“Man convicted of Melanie’s murder in solitary after threats to disfigure him” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/man-convicted-of-melanies-murder-in-solitary-after-threats-to-disfigure-him-29950762.html (26 January 2014)   

Natasha Reid, “Teen gets life after cell graffiti pointed to his guilt in girl’s murder” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/teen-gets-life-after-cell-graffiti-pointed-to-his-guilt-in-girls-murder-29949145.html (25 January 2014)   

“Man (19) found guilty of Melanie McCarthy McNamara murder” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-19-found-guilty-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-murder-29947839.html (24 January 2014)   

“Jury begins deliberation in trial of teen charges with murdering Melanie McCarthy McNamara” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/jury-begins-deliberation-in-trial-of-teen-charged-with-murdering-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-29944851.html (23 January 2014)   

Natasha Reid, “’The b*tch is dead;’ Teenager charged with murdering 16 year old Melanie McCarthy bragged about her shooting” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/the-btch-is-dead-teenager-charged-with-murdering-16yearold-melanie-mccarthy-bragged-about-her-shooting-29941195.html (22 January 2014) 

“Man (19) found guilty of Melanie McCarthy McNamara murder” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-19-found-guilty-of-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-murder-29947839.html (24 January 2014)   

Natasha Reid, “Melanie murder accused knew his post would be read, court hears” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/melanie-murder-accused-knew-his-post-would-be-read-court-hears-29937599.html (21 January 2014)  

Natasha Reid, “’Lookout hid in bush’ before teen was killed, trial is told” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/lookout-hid-in-bush-before-teen-was-killed-trial-is-told-29921323.html (16 January 2014)   

“Melanie McCarthy McNamara was bleeding profusely from her skull, mouth and ears – court hears” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-was-bleeding-profusely-from-her-skull-mouth-and-ear-court-hears-29920341.html (15 January 2014)   

Andrew Phelan, “Driver of Melanie McNamara’s car caught glimpse of gunman” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/driver-of-melanie-mcnamaras-car-caught-glimpse-of-gunman-29919814.html (15 January 2014)   

Natasha Reid, “Graffiti  on wall of cell bragged about Melanie murder, trial told” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/graffiti-on-wall-of-cell-bragged-about-melanie-murder-trial-told-29917077.html (15 January 2014)   

Breda Heffernan, “Killer jailed for 20 years sees teen victim’s face every time he tried to sleep” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/killer-jailed-for-20-years-sees-teen-victims-face-every-time-he-tries-to-sleep-29464018.html (1 August 2013)   

Andrew Phelan, “Sawn off shotgun used to shoot Melanie (16) in the head, court told” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/sawnoff-shotgun-used-to-shoot-melanie-16-in-the-head-court-told-29462220.html (31 July 2013)   

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Tom Brady, “Gardai swoop on two prime suspects in Melanie killing” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-swoop-on-two-prime-suspects-in-melanie-killing-26822560.html (17 February 2012)   

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Emma McMenamy, “Killer of innocent Melanie McCarthy McNamara moved to the Central Mental Hospital” in The Irish Mirror https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/killer-innocent-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-9075478 (19 October 2016)   

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Georgia Graham, “Farewell to Melanie McCarthy McNamara – a ‘golden child’” in The Camden New Journal http://camdennewjournal.com/article/farewell-melanie-mccarthy-mcnamara-golden-child?sp=2&sq=Melanie (23 February 2012)   

Paul Williams, “End of Innocence: Paul Williams on the birth of Irish organised crime” in The Irish Independent https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/end-of-innocence-paul-williams-on-the-birth-of-irish-organised-crime-38283471.html (6 July 2019)   

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Conor Lally, ‘Two men killed in separate gun attacks in Dublin” in The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/two-men-killed-in-separate-gun-attacks-in-dublin-1.1235574 (21 January 2009)   

Ireland’s Teen Killers TV3 (May 2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol21ZJshVKg