Ray Kennedy, aged 41, of Blanchardstown in Dublin, has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice at the Special Criminal Court following his destruction of a mobile phone SIM card on 6 March 2013. The card was considered of significant evidential value to the Garda investigation into the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly at Gormanston, County Meath. Kennedy's defence counsel argued against a custodial sentence, citing his young daughter's serious health condition requiring round-the-clock care and his previously unblemished background. The prosecution contended that Kennedy's actions were calculated to conceal his involvement in the incident. Presiding Judge Tony Hunt noted that a custodial sentence remained under consideration whilst granting bail due to Kennedy's family circumstances. Sentencing has been adjourned to 12 July. Four men have previously received life sentences for Butterly's murder, with two others also imprisoned for roles in the killing.
Source links
Original report plus public source leads and related archive reports used for review context.
Public source leads
- Man guilty of perverting course of justice in murder case - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Mon, 17 May 2021 07:00:00 GMT
- Two men go on trial charged over 'meticulously-planned killing' of dissident republican Peter Butterly - Irish Independent Irish Independent · Tue, 08 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT
- Man found guilty of disrupting investigation into murder of dissident republican - BreakingNews.ie BreakingNews.ie · Mon, 17 May 2021 07:00:00 GMT
- Trial opens of two men charged in connection with murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly - Irish Examiner Irish Examiner · Tue, 08 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT
- Man jailed for 18 months for disrupting garda inquiry into Peter Butterly murder - BreakingNews.ie BreakingNews.ie · Mon, 12 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMT
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- Peter Butterly's widow told gardaí that IRA-accused was 'good friend' to them both - Irish Examiner Irish Examiner · Thu, 10 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT
Related court reports
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