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Closing speeches in Peter Butterly murder trial
Summary
In the Special Criminal Court, two Dublin men, Edward McGrath (35) and Sharif Kelly (47), pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly (35), who was shot outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, on 6 March 2013. McGrath also denied firearms offences. A third accused, Dean Evans (24), was absent. The court accepted evidence from protected witness David Cullen, who implicated McGrath and Kelly. Prosecutor Paul O'Higgins highlighted extensive evidence against McGrath, including DNA on a silver Toyota Corolla and gun residue on his jacket, and evidence against Kelly, such as his arrest in a green Opel Zafira and a bag of clothes with Evans' fingerprints. Defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó'Lideadha dismissed Cullen's testimony as unreliable, citing contradictions and lack of independent corroboration. The trial's closing speeches concluded before a hearing on Monday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Closing speeches in Peter Butterly murder trial. Charges or matters: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-02-24 Publication
Why: Summarising his client's case, he said that Mr Kelly was in the area that afternoon because he had been feeding his daughter's pony and his car had broken down. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Applicant
Applicant
Charges: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Grange Park
- Dublin
- Flemington Road
Topics
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