Ireland Case No. 3728Conspiracy to murder · Co. Dublin · 5 Oct 2018
Man sentenced for conspiracy to murder in Ballymun
Robert Sheridan, a 45-year-old father of two, was fatally shot in the head and body at the front door of his home in Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin, on 5 October 2018. Joseph Richards, a 35-year-old man from Finglas, was arrested in 2024 and charged with murder before pleading guilty to conspiracy to murder at the Central Criminal Court in January 2026. In February 2026, Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Richards to seven and a half years in prison, with the final six months suspended, to run consecutively to his existing term for an effective sentence of more than 12 years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged19 Mar
3 reports - In courtnot reported
- Convicted1 Jan
3 reports - Sentenced24 Feb
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Robert Sheridan, 45, a father of two, was fatally shot in the head and body at the front door of his home.
- Where
- The shooting took place at Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin.
- When
- The shooting occurred on 5 October 2018, with one report placing it shortly after 11pm on 4 October 2018.
- Cause
- Sheridan was lured to the door by someone known and trusted to him before being shot, and a getaway car was used.
- Weapon
- Sheridan was killed by gunshot wounds to his head and body; the gun was never found.
- Investigation
- A witness came forward in April 2021 saying Richards had confessed to the murder, and Richards's phone pinged in the area immediately before and after the shooting.
- Charges
- Joseph Richards was charged in 2024 with murder, then pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder under section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, after the DPP agreed not to pursue the murder charge.
- In court
- Richards pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court in January 2026 before Justice Paul McDermott, who adjourned sentencing to 16 February.
- Sentence
- In February 2026, Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Richards to seven and a half years, with the final six months suspended for two years, to run consecutively to his existing term for an effective sentence of more than 12 years.
- Other details
- Richards has 99 previous convictions and has been in prison since 2021 serving a six-year-five-month sentence for unrelated offending.
- Sheridan had vulnerabilities following a motorcycle crash that left him with head injuries, and Gardaí had previously warned him of a threat to his life.
- An inquest into Sheridan's death has been adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
93 statements extracted from the articles
- whatRobert Sheridan was fatally shot. (rte.ie)
- whatA man was charged with the murder of Robert Sheridan. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man was charged with the murder of a father of two in a shooting in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRobert Sheridan suffered fatal gunshot wounds to his head and body. (irishtimes.com, rte.ie)
- whatRobert Sheridan was shot in the head and body at the front door of his home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRobert Sheridan was 45 years old and a father of two. (irishtimes.com)
- whatJoseph Richards was 34 years old. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRobert Sheridan died from gunshot wounds. (rte.ie)
- whatMr Sheridan sustained gunshot wounds to the head and body and was pronounced dead at the scene. (rte.ie)
- whatJoseph Richards, 35, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years with the final six months suspended for two years. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRobert Sheridan, 45, was shot and killed at his front door. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA friend of the victim was lured to betray him by convincing him to come to his front door. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA getaway car was used in the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened at Sheridan's home at Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun. (rte.ie)
- whereRobert Sheridan was shot at his home at Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened at Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun. (irishtimes.com)
- whereRobert Sheridan was shot in the head and body at the front door of his home in Dublin in 2018. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened at Sheridan's home in Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened at Robert Sheridan's home in Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun. (rte.ie)
- whereThe shooting took place at Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereRichards has an address at Lanesborough Square, Finglas, Dublin 11. (irishtimes.com)
- whereRobert Sheridan was shot at his house in Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whereThe murder took place in Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereRichards is from Lanesborough Square, Finglas. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe shooting happened shortly after 11pm on 4 October 2018. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing took place on 5 October 2018. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe shooting happened on 5 October 2018. (rte.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred on 5 October 2018. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenRichards was charged in 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí received a call shortly after 11pm on 5 October 2018 reporting that a man had been shot. (rte.ie)
- causeRobert Sheridan died from gunshot wounds to his head and body. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeRichards used someone known and trusted by the victim to knock at his door before he was shot. (rte.ie)
- causeSheridan had vulnerabilities following a motorcycle crash that left him with head injuries and difficulties living independently. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponSheridan suffered gunshot wounds to his head and body. (rte.ie)
- weaponRobert Sheridan was killed by gunshot wounds. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested Joseph Richards, 32, of Lanesborough Square, Finglas, Dublin 11. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested Joseph Richards, of Lanesborough Square, Finglas, Dublin 11. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationRichards's phone pinged in the area immediately before and after the shooting. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe investigation had no breakthrough until April 2021, when a witness came forward and said Richards had confessed to the murder. (rte.ie)
- chargeRichards was charged with the murder of Sheridan. (rte.ie)
- chargeJoseph Richards was charged with the murder of Robert Sheridan contrary to common law. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRichards was charged in 2024 with the murder of Robert Sheridan. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe conspiracy charge was brought under section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeJoseph Richards was charged in 2024 with the murder of Robert Sheridan. (rte.ie)
- chargeRichards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder contrary to section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRichards was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder. (rte.ie)
- chargeRichards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder after the DPP agreed not to pursue the original murder charge. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- courtRichards was brought before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court. (rte.ie)
- courtRichards has not yet indicated a plea and was held in custody on remand. (rte.ie)
- courtThe District Court cannot consider bail in a murder case, which requires a High Court application. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtJoseph Richards was brought before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court on a Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJoseph Richards was held in custody on remand and will appear again the following week. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJoseph Richards has not yet indicated a plea. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtProsecutors must complete a book of evidence before the case can be sent to the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJoseph Richards was brought to appear before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJoseph Richards was remanded in custody to appear in court again the following week. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRichards pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to conspiracy to murder Sheridan. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJustice Paul McDermott adjourned the matter to 16 February for a sentencing hearing. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJoseph Richards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Robert Sheridan at the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter to 16 February for a sentencing hearing. (rte.ie)
- courtThe plea was entered at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the matter to 16 February for a sentencing hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Paul McDermott said the victim's life and value must be marked by a consecutive sentence. (rte.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court before Judge Paul McDermott. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing took place at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJoseph Richards was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence will be served in addition to a current term Richards is serving for unrelated offending. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe final six months of the sentence was suspended. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum sentence in this case was ten years in jail, because the law was changed in 2023 after the offence. (rte.ie)
- sentenceRichards was sentenced to seven and a half years with the final six months suspended for two years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe conspiracy sentence will commence after Richards completes his current term, giving an effective sentence of more than 12 years. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherSheridan was pronounced dead just over an hour after the shooting. (rte.ie)
- otherRobert Sheridan was pronounced dead just over an hour after the shooting. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherLegal aid was assigned and a solicitor was nominated to represent the accused. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherAn inquest into Robert Sheridan's death has been adjourned pending the criminal proceedings. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherParamedics treated Robert Sheridan at the scene, and he was pronounced dead just over an hour later. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe inquest into Robert Sheridan's death has been adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRichards has 99 previous convictions. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim's family said his murder devastated them. (rte.ie)
- otherGardaí had previously warned Sheridan of a threat to his life. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn the lead-up to the murder, Sheridan's car was set alight and shots were fired at his home. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe gun used in the shooting was never found. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherA getaway car was used in the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRichards has been in prison since 2021 and is currently serving a sentence of six years and five months. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim had vulnerabilities following a motorcycle crash that left him with head injuries and difficulties living independently. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim's daughter had to be physically restrained when she arrived at the scene and saw her father with gunshot wounds to his head. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim had completed studies in addiction counselling and planned to work in that field. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe maximum sentence available for conspiracy to murder in 2018 was 10 years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIn 2023 the Oireachtas amended the legislation to introduce the possibility of life imprisonment for conspiracy to murder. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRobert Sheridan was a father of two. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe maximum sentence available for conspiracy to murder in 2018 was ten years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIn 2023 the Oireachtas amended the legislation to allow life imprisonment for conspiracy to murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRichards attempted to address his drug addiction issues in prison and has apologised. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Feb2026Shooter "meticulously planned" murder of a much-loved victim jailed
Sentencing details: Judge Paul McDermott described the murder as 'meticulously planned', noted the victim's vulnerabilities from a prior motorcycle crash, and imposed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence (six months suspended) to run consecutively to Richards's existing six-year-five-month term, yielding an effective sentence of over 12 years. The article also notes the 2023 legislative amendment allowing life imprisonment for conspiracy to murder.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanconvicted, Joseph Richards, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards - 24 Feb2026Gunman jailed for seven years in connection with ‘meticulously planned’ murder in Ballymun
Reports the sentencing of Joseph Richards for conspiracy to murder Robert Sheridan in Ballymun in 2018, including details of the pre-planning, the victim's vulnerability, and the effective combined sentence of more than 12 years.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanconvicted, Joseph Richards, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards - 24 Feb2026Man jailed for seven years over fatal Ballymun shooting
Sentencing report. Gives the sentence length (seven and a half years, with the final six months suspended), a consecutive term, the plea and investigation history. The headline says seven years, but the text says seven and a half years.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanconvicted, Joseph Richards, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards - 16 Jan2026Man pleads guilty to conspiracy to murder father of two who was shot dead in Dublin
First report of the guilty plea; sentencing adjourned to 16 February 2026 before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanconvicted, Joseph Richards, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards - 16 Jan2026Man guilty of conspiracy to murder Dublin father in 2018
Richards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder rather than murder; sentencing is adjourned to 16 February 2026.
convicted, Joseph Richards, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richardsvictim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridan - 1 Jan2026Man pleads guilty to conspiracy to murder Dublin father at his home
Reports the guilty plea entered on 16 January 2026 and the adjournment of sentencing to 16 February. Richards is given as 34 here, and the article's header date (1 January 2026) differs from its 16 Jan 2026 timestamp.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanconvicted, Joseph Richards, 34, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards - 19 Mar2024Man (32) charged with murder of father of two in Dublin shooting
Reports the murder charge and remand of Joseph Richards. The article is dated 2024 but the shooting it describes took place in October 2018. The inquest is adjourned pending the criminal case.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanaccused, Joseph Richards, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards - 19 Mar2024Man charged with murder of dad-of-two Robert Sheridan in Dublin shooting
First report of the charge against Joseph Richards for the murder of Robert Sheridan. The article gives the court appearance, remand in custody, legal aid, and the adjourned inquest.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanaccused, Joseph Richards, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards - 19 Mar2024Man appears in court over 2018 Ballymun murder
Reports the March 2024 arrest, charge and remand of Joseph Richards at Dublin District Court, and that the inquest is adjourned pending the criminal proceedings.
victim, Robert Sheridan, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Robert Sheridanaccused, Joseph Richards, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph Richards