Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6879Manslaughter · Co. Dublin · 23 Jan 2022

Car thief pleads guilty to manslaughter of businessman Ian McDonnell, Dublin

On 23 January 2022 Adam Murphy got into the car of businessman Ian McDonnell and drove off with Mr McDonnell on the bonnet, carrying him 46 metres before throwing him onto the roadway. Mr McDonnell died on 28 January 2022 without regaining consciousness, and Murphy was arrested on 16 February 2022. Murphy, 22, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and to vehicle theft offences, and his co-accused Keith McCormick Smith, 22, of Mulhuddart, pleaded guilty to vehicle theft offences; the case was adjourned by Judge Dara Hayes to 12 February 2024 for finalisation, when Murphy is to be sentenced.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Adam Murphy got into Mr McDonnell's car and drove off with Mr McDonnell on the bonnet.
  • Mr McDonnell was carried 46 metres before being thrown from the bonnet onto the roadway, and Murphy drove away leaving him on the road.
Where
Mr McDonnell had stopped at his business, Ozone Car Sales, on Robinhood Road, Dublin 22.
When
  • The incident took place on 23 January 2022.
  • Mr McDonnell died on 28 January 2022 without regaining consciousness.
Investigation
  • Gardaí found Mr McDonnell's car a few days later in the Walkintown area.
  • Murphy was arrested on 16 February 2022.
  • In interview Murphy said that he accepted what happened and that it should never have happened.
Charges
  • Murphy pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter of Ian McDonnell. The key facts date this plea to 23 January 2022, while the article reports it on 21 December 2023; 23 January 2022 is the date of the offence.
  • Murphy also pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to take a vehicle, three counts of stealing three vehicles, one count of attempting to steal property from a vehicle and one count of stealing a push bike.
  • Keith McCormick Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to take a vehicle, three counts of stealing three vehicles, one count of attempting to steal property from a vehicle and one count of stealing a push bike.
In court
  • Murphy's counsel said his client was genuinely remorseful.
  • Judge Dara Hayes adjourned the matter for finalisation until 12 February 2024.
Sentence
Murphy is to be sentenced in February 2024.
Other details
Murphy, 22, is of Cherry Orchard Crescent, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, and Smith, 22, is of Riverview, Church Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMurphy got into Mr McDonnell's car and drove off with Mr McDonnell on the bonnet. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr McDonnell was carried 46 metres before being thrown from the bonnet onto the roadway. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMurphy drove away, leaving Mr McDonnell on the road. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMr McDonnell stopped at his business, Ozone Car Sales, on Robinhood Road, Dublin 22. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr McDonnell died on 28 January 2022 without regaining consciousness. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMr McDonnell's car was found a few days later by gardaí in the Walkintown area. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMurphy was arrested on 16 February 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMurphy said in interview that he accepted what happened and that it should never have happened. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeAdam Murphy pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter of Ian McDonnell on 23 January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMurphy also pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to take a vehicle and three counts of stealing three vehicles. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeKeith McCormick Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to take a vehicle and three counts of stealing three vehicles. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMurphy's counsel said his client was genuinely remorseful. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Dara Hayes adjourned the matter for finalisation until 12 February 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMurphy is to be sentenced in February. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Dec2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Car thief pleads guilty to manslaughter of business man as he stole his vehicle

    Reports guilty pleas by Adam Murphy and Keith McCormick Smith, the court's account of the incident, the victim impact statements, and the adjournment to 12 February 2024 for finalisation.

    victim, Ian McDonnell, male, irish (judged from name)Ian McDonnellaccused, Adam Murphy, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adam Murphyaccused, Keith McCormick Smith, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keith McCormick Smith