'Crack crazy' shooter opened fired on dad-of-two at door of own home, court hears

Joseph Richards, aged 35 and from Lanesborough Square in Finglas, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to conspiracy to murder Robert Sheridan, a 45-year-old father of two, who was fatally shot at his home in Ballymun on 5 October 2018. The killing occurred after Mr Sheridan answered his patio door, having been forewarned by gardaí of a threat to his life and armed himself with a knife in anticipation. A post-mortem examination revealed two fatal gunshot wounds to the victim's face. In sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Paul McDermott characterised the offence as meticulously planned and involving considerable coordination to draw the victim to the door. The judge noted that Richards, who has ninety-nine previous convictions, had admitted to involvement in the killing and attributed his actions to drug addiction and financial motivation. Detective Sergeant Patrick O'Toole provided evidence of a witness account in which Richards allegedly acknowledged responsibility for the shooting. Richards, who was originally charged with murder, was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment, with six months suspended. This sentence will be served consecutively to his current term, resulting in an effective custodial period exceeding twelve years. The court heard that Richards has undertaken efforts to address his drug addiction whilst in custody. Mr Justice McDermott acknowledged the defendant's guilty plea and his work towards rehabilitation. The victim's family delivered impact statements to the court describing the effect of Mr Sheridan's death. The case was adjourned on 16 February 2026 for sentencing and was finalised on 24 February 2026.