Courts / Meath / Report

Non-jury court finds men guilty of "brutal" murder of dissident republican

Summary

Two Dublin men, Edward McGrath (35) and Sharif Kelly (47), were found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of the callous, brutal and pre‑meditated murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly (35) on 6 March 2013 outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston. The court described the killing as an ambush carried out in the carpark, with Butterly shot by a handgun held by Dean Evans (24), who was absent from the trial. McGrath was also convicted of firearms offences from the same incident. The trial, lasting 31 days, relied on forensic evidence from a stolen Toyota Corolla, a green Opel Zafira, and a bag seized from the Corolla, which contained a black semiautomatic pistol. DNA and residue tests linked the men to the shooting. The court remanded McGrath and Kelly in custody pending sentencing. The case did not involve any subsequent verdicts or appeals.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Non-jury court finds men guilty of "brutal" murder of dissident republican. Charges or matters: murder; firearms offences. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 2014 Incident
• April 7th Adjournment
• 2017-03-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Firearms Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report