Courts / Meath / Report
Court rules that man can give evidence against his former murder co-accused in "unprecedented" case
Summary
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.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court rules that man can give evidence against his former murder co-accused in "unprecedented" case. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; one count while the count of murder had not been proceeded with; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at the same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6th, 2013 Incident
- June 27 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-07-03 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; one count while the count of murder had not been proceeded with; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at the same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Cullen, of Brackenwood Ave, Balbriggan, was yesterday jailed for three-and-a-half years, having pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013.; Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the trial until Tuesday.
Convicted Person
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; one count while the count of murder had not been proceeded with; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at the same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the trial until Tuesday.
Convicted Person
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; one count while the count of murder had not been proceeded with; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at the same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the trial until Tuesday.
Convicted Person
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; one count while the count of murder had not been proceeded with; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at the same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the trial until Tuesday.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Grange Park
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
Topics
Firearms Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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