Serial offender who left businessman to die during car theft gets five-year term for earlier crime spree

Keith McCormick, aged 23, of addresses in Bluebell and Mulhuddart, Dublin, received a five-year and six-month custodial sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following guilty pleas to drug dealing, burglary, vehicle theft, and related offences committed between May 2020 and May 2021. The final fifteen months were suspended on strict conditions. McCormick's earliest release date is June 2027. Judge Orla Crowe noted he had committed crimes while on bail and carried forty-four previous convictions. She acknowledged he was vulnerable and easily influenced, but recognised his remorse and drug-free status in custody. McCormick was also previously sentenced in February to three years and two months for his involvement in a car theft on 23 January 2022 during which a businessman died. His co-accused received twelve years for manslaughter. McCormick is considered a high re-offending risk, primarily due to addiction issues, though he has engaged with rehabilitation programmes while imprisoned.