In the Special Criminal Court, three men—Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22), and Sharif Kelly (43)—pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly (35), who was shot in the car park of the Huntsman Inn on 6 March 2013. The court heard that Butterly was lured to the car park by an unnamed man and that shots were fired from a Toyota Corolla. The prosecution will present forensic, firearm residue, DNA evidence and testimony from David Cullen (30), who was involved in the murder plan. Cullen, who had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol, was jailed for three‑and‑a‑half years and later became a prosecution witness. He stated he wanted no more to do with the case and sought to separate himself from the accused.
In the Special Criminal Court, three men—Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22), and Sharif Kelly (43)—remain not guilty on charges of murdering Peter Butterly (35) and related firearm offences. The court heard that a former co‑accused, now a prosecution witness, supplied Gardaí with information about a prior fatal shooting, events in Portlaoise Prison, and IRA structure. Witness protection liaison officer reported that David Cullen (30) offered testimony on 25 June, with a security discussion the next day. The Garda liaison explained that witnesses must commit to a new lifestyle and receive retraining. Senior Garda Thomas Maguire confirmed Cullen's willingness to give evidence on the Butterly shooting, other murders, prison happenings, and IRA structure. The court has yet to rule on privilege and screening applications. The case proceeds tomorrow before Judges Cormac Dunne and Margaret Heneghan, with Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy presiding.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding the transformation of David Cullen from a co-accused to a prosecution witness in the trial of Edward McGrath, Dean Evans, and Sharif Kelly. The three men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013. McGrath and Evans also face firearm offences at the same address and date, to which they have pleaded not guilty. Cullen, who admitted to the unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol at the scene, pleaded guilty to that charge. In July, he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison, with a nolle prosequi entered on the murder count. Detective Inspector Alf Martyn detailed how Cullen's solicitor contacted gardaí in June to propose immunity in exchange for information identifying the masterminds and those involved with the stolen car and gun. Cullen sought witness protection, financial maintenance, and relocation. The DPP approved engagement with Cullen on June 29. The court is currently considering an application by gardaí to erect a screen for nine National Surveillance Unit officers, citing risks to their safety and operational security. The three-judge panel will rule on this and other legal matters next week, with the case continuing in the non-jury court.
Lawyers for three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old dissident republican, have applied to the Special Criminal Court for disclosure of documents relating to former co‑accused David Cullen, who turned a state witness. The accused—Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22) and Sharif Kelly (43)—have pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences committed on 6 March 2013 at the Huntsman Inn car park. Cullen, who had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol and was jailed for three‑and‑a‑half years, was later found not to be charged with murder. His medical records, psychiatric treatment history and notes with his lawyers are sought to assess his credibility. The court will decide on the disclosure applications tomorrow, with the case continuing before Judges Cormac Dunne, Margaret Heneghan and Justice Deirdre Murphy.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 1 October 2014, the court considered an application by the Director of Public Prosecution to claim legal privilege over three documents relating to the surveillance of three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly. The accused – Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22) and Sharif Kelly (43) – had pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences. The court heard that a Toyota Corolla entered the Huntsman Inn car park shortly after Butterly was lured there, and shots were fired, causing Butterly to fall. The prosecution's case relied on forensic, firearm residue, DNA evidence and testimony from David Cullen, who was described as part of the murder plan. During cross‑examination, a senior Garda admitted that one of the documents sought for privilege was relevant to the defence.
In a Special Criminal Court case, the Director of Public Prosecutions has applied to erect a screen between the public and undercover Garda witnesses before they give evidence in the trial of three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly. The application, made with the Garda Commissioner's knowledge, aims to protect the visual characteristics of nine National Surveillance Unit witnesses. The court will decide tomorrow. The case involves defendants Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22) and Sharif Kelly (43), all pleading not guilty to the murder and related firearm offences. The prosecution's case relies on forensic, firearm residue, DNA evidence and testimony from David Cullen, who was involved in the planning and later pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta pistol. Cullen was jailed for three‑and‑a‑half years, and a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder count.
Balbriggan District Court heard several matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Kieran White pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of wine from Supervalu. After making a €75 donation to the Molly McNally Trust Fund, the court applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act. Piotr Boryslawski pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis found under his car seat. Following a €300 charitable donation, the charge was struck out. Valerie Dalton, alleged to have been drink driving, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 11th. Paul McGee, charged with criminal damage and breach of a protection order, was remanded on continuing bail for a hearing on October 6th. Eddie McDonagh and Patrick McDonagh, both alleged to have stolen a steel tube from a boat, were remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 4th. McDonagh also faces allegations of careless driving and not paying a taxi fare, while Patrick McDonagh is alleged to have not paid a taxi fare. All these cases remain at the pre-trial stage with no final sentences passed.
In a High Court hearing on 30 July 2014, Dean Evans, aged 22, was denied bail and remanded in custody. Evans, along with Edward McGrath (32) and Sharif Kelly (43), faces murder charges for the killing of dissident republican Peter Butterly, 35, at the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, County Meath, on 6 March 2013. The trio were also charged with membership of an illegal organisation claiming to be the Irish Republican Army, or Oglaigh na hEireann, on the same date. Additionally, Evans and McGrath are accused of unlawfully possessing a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi‑automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum ammunition at their residence, and of possessing the same weapon and ammunition with intent to endanger life at the Huntsman Inn car park.
Three Dublin men – Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22) and Sharif Kelly (43) – are set to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on 30 September for the murder of Peter Butterly (35) in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on 6 March 2013. The men were originally due to appear earlier but the case was adjourned because the prosecution and defence agreed it was not ready. The Director of Public Prosecution intends to call former co‑accused David Cullen (30), who was jailed for 3½ years for unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol at the same location, to give evidence against the three. David Cullen pleaded guilty.
The Special Criminal Court ruled that the murder trial of three Dublin men—Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22), and Sharif Kelly (43)—cannot proceed as scheduled in July 2014. The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the killing of Peter Butterly (35) on 6 March 2013 at the Huntsman Inn car park. The court noted that the Director of Public Prosecution intends to call former co‑accused David Cullen (30) to give evidence, an unprecedented move. Cullen had been jailed for 3½ years for unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol and a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder count. The State's counsel said disclosure material was still pending and further letters from defence were received. The judge set a disclosure hearing for 17 July and suggested the trial might start in October, pending completion of disclosure and other procedural matters. The defendants remain not guilty on all charges.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 3 July 2014, the court ruled that David Cullen, aged 30, is competent to give evidence for the prosecution in the murder trial of Peter Butterly. Cullen, who was charged with the murder of Butterly, had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol and was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years. He was no longer jointly indicted after his guilty plea, so the court found he could testify against the other accused. The other defendants – Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22) and Sharif Kelly (43) – had pleaded not guilty to the murder and to possession of firearms. The trial was adjourned to Tuesday for further proceedings. The court's decision was described as "unprecedented" in the context of a former co‑accused giving evidence.
At the Special Criminal Court, David Cullen pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, on March 6, 2013. The court noted that Cullen is to act as a State witness against his co-accused, Edward McGrath, Dean Evans, and Sharif Kelly, who are charged with the murder of Peter Butterly. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted Cullen's plea, and a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder count. Justice Iseult O'Malley stated the offence merited a ten-year sentence but reduced it to seven years due to Cullen's guilty plea, remorse, and cooperation. She proposed suspending the final three-and-a-half years of the sentence, dating from his March 2013 arrest, resulting in an effective custody period of three-and-a-half years. The court acknowledged Cullen's role in attempting to remove evidence and his renunciation of criminal activity. The matter was finalised with this sentencing proposal.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a Dublin man, David Cullen, 29, who had been charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, agreed to become a prosecution witness against his three co‑accused. Cullen, of Brackenwood Avenue, Balbriggan, had previously been charged alongside Edward McGrath, 32, Dean Evans, 22, and Sharif Kelly, 43, for the March 6, 2013 killing of Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, at the Huntsman Inn car park in Gormanston, Co. Meath. Cullen made a voluntary statement to Gardaí and indicated he would plead guilty to a firearms offence under Section 27A of the Firearms Act, a plea acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Director therefore requested that Cullen be called as a witness in the case against the other three accused. Cullen's arraignment and sentencing were postponed until the following day, and the prosecution has stated it will not call him to give evidence until after he has been sentenced. Edward McGrath pleaded not guilty. Dean Evans pleaded not guilty. Sharif Kelly pleaded not guilty.
A 19‑year‑old youth was placed on a six‑month Probation Bond after he punched a 14‑year‑old boy on a train from Gormanston to Skerries and stole his Apple iPod. The youth approached the victim, tried to seize the iPod, then struck the boy several times in the face, leaving severe bruising. He disembarked at Balbriggan Train Station with the device, and Gardaí later found him on Balbriggan Beach still in possession of the stolen iPod. He pleaded guilty to the theft before Balbriggan District Court on 10 August of the previous year. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed a summary disposal of the case. Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy noted the youth's difficult upbringing, including physical abuse from his mother, and that he has no drink or drug problem.
In a case heard at Balbriggan District Court, 19‑year‑old Alan Joyce was remanded on continuing bail pending a Probation & Welfare Report. Joyce, who lives in Finglas, was found on a train from Gormanston to Skerries and attempted to seize a 14‑year‑old boy's iPod. He punched the boy several times, causing severe bruising, and then left the train at Balbriggan Station with the stolen device. Gardaí later located him on Balbriggan Beach in possession of the iPod. Joyce had previously pleaded guilty to the theft of the iPod on 10 August of the previous year. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal of the case. Defence solicitor Ms Fiona Darcy explained that Joyce had been in HSE care since 2010 and had a difficult upbringing, noting that he had no drink or drug problem.