Courts / Meath / Report
Former murder accused turned State's witness describes role in shooting
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence from David Cullen, a former accused who turned State's witness, regarding the alleged murder of Peter Butterly outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, in 2013. Edward McGrath and Sharif Kelly, both accused of the alleged murder and firearms offences, have pleaded not guilty. A third accused, Dean Evans, failed to appear and has not been located, while the court proceeded with the trial for McGrath and Kelly. Cullen, who previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol, described being asked to pick up a gun and dispose of it at Gormanston College. He testified that he witnessed a gun thrown from a vehicle and was arrested while retrieving it. This testimony is part of a voir dire, or trial within a trial, to determine the admissibility of Cullen's evidence, to which defence counsel for Kelly objects. This is the second trial for McGrath and Kelly, following the collapse of the original proceedings in January 2015. The matter is currently at the trial stage before a non-jury court presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former murder accused turned State's witness describes role in shooting. Charges or matters: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2014 Incident
- 2017-02-08 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Grange Park
- Dublin
- Brackenwood Avenue
- Gormanston
- Main Street
Topics
Firearms Stage Trial Violent Crime
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