Accused a "good friend" to murdered dissident republican, widow told gardai

The widow of dissident republican Peter Butterly told gardai that a man on trial in connection with her husband's death was a trusted friend to them both, the Special Criminal Court heard. Mrs Butterly gave evidence that her late husband met the accused on the afternoon of March 6, 2013, at The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, where he was fatally shot shortly after 2pm. She stated that Mr Butterly had received multiple death threats and left republicanism over a year before his death. The two accused men have pleaded not guilty to charges of membership of an unlawful organisation. One accused is additionally charged with destroying a mobile telephone SIM card on the date in question. Four men have previously received life sentences following convictions for Mr Butterly's murder, with two others also jailed for their involvement in the killing. The trial continues before three judges at the Special Criminal Court.