Courts / Meath / Report

Gunman's car was under garda surveillance, Peter Butterly murder trial hears

Date
2017-01-13
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Gormanston
County
Meath

Summary

The Special Criminal Court heard that the car used by the gunman in the murder of Peter Butterly was under Garda surveillance. Edward McGrath and Sharif Kelly, who have pleaded not guilty to the murder of the 35-year-old father of three, are currently on trial. The prosecution alleged that McGrath drove a silver Toyota Corolla into the Huntsman Inn car park in Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013, where Butterly was shot dead. A third accused, Dean Evans, who allegedly fired the shots, failed to appear and has not been located; the court proceeded with the trial in his absence. Prosecution counsel stated that a protected witness, David Cullen, would testify that Kelly directed him to dispose of the weapon and that Kelly's role was to pick up McGrath and Evans after the incident. Cullen was previously sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with three and a half years suspended, after pleading guilty to firearms charges in July 2014. The court was told that surveillance units intercepted the vehicle, leading to the arrest of McGrath and Evans, while Kelly was arrested upon arrival in another car. The trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt continues on Monday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gunman's car was under garda surveillance, Peter Butterly murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the the murder of the 35-year-old father of three. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Edward McGrath

Accused

Charges: the the murder of the 35-year-old father of three (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Cullen would say that Mr Kelly's role was to pick up Mr McGrath and Mr Evans "after the deed had been done." Counsel said that Cullen had been sentenced to seven years imprisonment with three and a half years suspended after he pleaded guilty in July, 2014 to firearms charges.

Sharif Kelly

Accused

Charges: the the murder of the 35-year-old father of three (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Cullen would say that Mr Kelly's role was to pick up Mr McGrath and Mr Evans "after the deed had been done." Counsel said that Cullen had been sentenced to seven years imprisonment with three and a half years suspended after he pleaded guilty in July, 2014 to firearms charges.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Residence
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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