Keith Hall jailed for arson and robbery in Tallaght just after release for 2012 manslaughter
Keith Hall, 37, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for setting a car alight in Tallaght on 10 July 2025 and robbing Halfords in Tallaght on 17 July 2025, offences committed shortly after his release from prison for the 2012 manslaughter of Melanie McCarthy-McNamara, 16. The 2012 shooting in Tallaght killed McCarthy-McNamara, who was in the passenger seat of a car with Christopher Corcoran and Paul Byrne, the intended targets, when she was shot with a double-barrelled sawn-off shotgun. Hall's role in that shooting was to throw a rock at a window to lure the occupants out. Judge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent terms of three years and six months on each offence, with the final six months suspended on condition Hall engage with the Probation Service for one year. Hall, who has 112 previous convictions, has been on methadone since his remand in custody and is on an enhanced prison regime.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced7 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Three males were caught on CCTV setting a Volkswagen Passat alight at 1.20am on 10 July 2025 in Whitestown Way, Tallaght, after smashing the doors and pouring in accelerant.
- Hall was spotted by the deputy manager at Halfords in Belgard Retail Park, Tallaght, on 17 July 2025 filling a bag with car valeting products and taking items from the camping section; the stolen items were worth €800 and were never recovered.
- Melanie McCarthy-McNamara, 16, was shot dead in a car in Tallaght on 8 February 2012, while Christopher Corcoran and Paul Byrne, the intended targets, were in the vehicle with her.
- Weapon
- McCarthy-McNamara was shot with a double-barrelled sawn-off shotgun.
- Other details
- Hall's role in the 2012 shooting was to throw a rock at the window of the house to lure the occupants out.
- Hall has a total of 112 previous convictions.
- Hall had just been released from prison after being convicted of the manslaughter of Melanie McCarthy-McNamara.
- Hall has been on methadone since his remand in custody and is on an enhanced prison regime.
- In court
- Hall pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to arson of a Volkswagen Passat in Whitestown Way, Tallaght, on 10 July 2025 and robbery of Halfords in Belgard Retail Park, Tallaght, on 17 July 2025.
- Sentence
- Judge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent terms of three years and six months on each offence, with the final six months suspended on condition Hall engage with the Probation Service for one year.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThree males were caught on CCTV setting the car alight at 1.20am on 10 July 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe doors in the vehicle were smashed and accelerant was poured in before it was set alight (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHall was spotted by the deputy manager in Halfords filling a bag with car valeting products and then took items from the camping section (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe stolen items were worth €800 and were never recovered (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMelanie McCarthy-McNamara, 16, was shot dead in a car in Tallaght on 8 February 2012 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatChristopher Corcoran and Paul Byrne were the intended targets of the 2012 shooting (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponShe was shot with a double-barrelled sawn-off shotgun (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHall pleaded guilty to arson of a Volkswagen Passat in Whitestown Way, Tallaght, on 10 July 2025 and robbery of Halfords in Belgard Retail Park, Tallaght, on 17 July 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent terms of three years and six months on each offence (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe final six months were suspended on condition Hall engage with the Probation Service for one year (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHall has a total of 112 previous convictions (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHall had just been released from prison after being convicted of the manslaughter of Melanie McCarthy-McNamara (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHall has been on methadone since his remand in custody and is on an enhanced prison regime (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jul2026Man who was jailed for role in killing girl set fire to car just after release
Reports the sentencing of Keith Hall for two offences committed shortly after his release from prison for the 2012 manslaughter of Melanie McCarthy-McNamara, including details of the 2012 shooting and Hall's 112 previous convictions.
convicted, Keith Hall, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keith Hallvictim, Melanie McCarthy-McNamara, 16, female, irish (judged from name)Melanie McCarthy-McNamaravictim, Christopher Corcoran, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher Corcoranvictim, Paul Byrne, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Byrne