Accused a protected prisoner, trial hears
Daniel McDonnell’s murder trial heard he had a cell to himself and no contact with other prisoners for his own protection when detained in St Patrick’s Institution on suspicion of the murder. It also heard that he would have known his post would be read.
Mr McDonnell, aged 19, of Brookview Lawns in Tallaght has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms McCarthy McNamara, aged 16, on Feb 8, 2012, at nearby Brookview Way. She was shot in the head as she sat in a car with her boyfriend and his friend.
Prison officer Richard Pielow testified yesterday that on Mar 3, 2012, the accused gave him two letters to post that day.
He said he then passed the letters onto his superior officer, Tony Redmond.
The jury was given copies of the letters, before they were read aloud by assistant chief officer Tony Redmond.
He first read a letter addressed to Lee McDonnell: “Keep running all them up to protection because this war ain’t stopping. Take my word for it. Close-range head shots. That’s what I’m going for. If I get High Court bail, I swear on my family, them four will be in the ground.
“I ran CM with his head up his arse.
“Two in the head. The bitch is dead. Ha ha.”
Mr Redmond then read the letter addressed to Stephanie Tuite: “I fucked everything up. I never thought it would turn out like this. I don’t know how I’m still going out with you. It’s ripping me apart. I feel like a scum bag. I don’t feel like it. I am one.”
Mr Redmond said he decided the letters were not to be dispatched and passed them onto his superior.
He agreed with Patrick Marrinan, defending that their significance was immediately apparent to him.
“Everyone knew he’d been accused of the atrocious murder of Melanie McCarthy McNamara,” suggested Mr Marrinan.
“Correct,” said Mr Redmond.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and the jury of six men and six women will return to court on Tuesday.
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