Man who claimed partner stabbed herself fails appeal against manslaughter sentence
Martin Hayes, 36, was found guilty of the manslaughter of his partner Amadea McDermott, 27, who was killed at her home in Coolock, Dublin, on or about July 20, 2017. Hayes, who claimed McDermott deliberately stabbed herself, admitted using violence against her in his trial evidence. A Central Criminal Court jury returned a majority verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter in November 2023, and Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced him to 12 years and six months. The Court of Appeal dismissed Hayes' sentence appeal in July 2025, upholding the sentence on the basis of limited mitigating factors and aggravating circumstances including domestic violence and coercive control.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court22 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Hayes claimed his partner deliberately stabbed herself to death.
- Hayes admitted using violence against McDermott in his trial evidence.
- Where
- The killing occurred at Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock, Dublin.
- When
- The killing occurred on or about July 20, 2017.
- Cause
- The offence was aggravated by domestic violence, fresh facial injuries on the night of the killing, older bruises, and coercive control including tracking the victim's movements via a secret phone app.
- Charges
- Hayes was charged with the murder of Amadea McDermott, 27, mother of two.
- In court
- A Central Criminal Court jury returned a majority verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter in November 2023.
- The Court of Appeal dismissed Hayes' sentence appeal in July 2025, finding the judge had rightly placed the offence in the category attracting a headline sentence of between ten and 15 years.
- Sentence
- Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Hayes to 12 years and six months in November 2023.
- Other details
- Amadea McDermott was the mother of two.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHayes claimed his partner deliberately stabbed herself to death (irishtimes.com)
- whatHayes admitted using violence against Ms McDermott in his trial evidence (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing occurred at Rathvale Drive, Ayrfield, Coolock (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing occurred on or about July 20th, 2017 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal dismissed Hayes' sentence appeal on the basis of limited mitigating factors (irishtimes.com)
- courtHayes argued the judge gave excessive weight to aggravating factors in setting a headline sentence of 14 years (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice McCarthy said the judge rightly placed the offence in the category attracting a headline sentence of between ten and 15 years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Hayes to 12 years and 6 months in November 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- otherAmadea McDermott was the mother of two (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jul2025Man who claimed partner deliberately stabbed herself fails in appeal
Court of Appeal dismissed Hayes' sentence appeal, confirming the 12-and-a-half-year manslaughter sentence imposed in November 2023. The judge noted the offence was aggravated by domestic violence, fresh facial injuries on the night of the killing, older bruises, and coercive control including tracking the victim's movements via a secret phone app.
victim, Amadea McDermott, 27, female, irish (judged from name)Amadea McDermottconvicted, Martin Hayes, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Hayes