Crime & Law

Man remanded in custody over fatal Dublin shooting last year

Thomas McCarthy (55) was shot at the front door of his mother’s home at Croftwood Park

Thomas McCarthy was shot dead while visiting his mother’s house in Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot. Photograph: Colin Keegan

Tom Tuite
Thu Nov 11 2021 - 09:17

A third man charged with the murder of a grandfather in a shooting in west Dublin last year has been remanded in custody.

Mark Lee, 31, was arrested on Thursday morning by gardaí investigating a fatal gun attack on Thomas McCarthy on July 27th, 2020, in Ballyfermot.

Mr McCarthy, 55, a father and grandfather, lived in the UK with his wife and children but had returned to Ireland to visit relatives.

He was shot at the front door of his mother’s home in Croftwood Park.

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Mr McCarthy was pronounced dead a short time later despite efforts to resuscitate him. The gunman fled, and three cars were subsequently found burnt out.

Detective Sergeant Ronan McDermott arrested Mr Lee from Meile an Ri, Balgaddy, Lucan, Co. Dublin, at 6.22 am on Thursday. He then brought him to Clondalkin station to charge him with Mr McCarthy’s murder.

Mr Lee subsequently appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at Dublin District Court.

Giving evidence, Detective Sergeant McDermott said the accused “made no reply to the charge after caution”.

He added that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed “trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court”.

Dressed in a grey tracksuit and runners, Mr Lee remained silent during the hearing.

Judge Carroll remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Thursday. He has not yet indicated how he will plead.

Defence solicitor Michael O’Connor told the court his client had been working and earned €450 a week. Judge Carroll granted legal aid.

She also acceded to the solicitor’s request to direct appropriate medical attention for Mr Lee while on prison remand.

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to hold a bail hearing in a murder case, which requires an application in the High Court.

The DPP must complete a book of evidence before a return for trial order can be made.

Mr McCarthy had returned to his family home in Croftwood Park a week before the shooting. Until then, he lived in Southend-on-Sea in England, where he had raised a family.

In February, gardaí also charged Cailean Crawford, 25, from Clifden Terrace, Ballyfermot, and Charles McClean, 33, of St Mark’s Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin, with the murder. They are still awaiting trial.

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