Courts / Meath / Report
Non-jury court to rule on whether gardai can give evidence anonymously and with public excluded from court
Summary
The Special Criminal Court will decide tomorrow whether eleven Garda National Surveillance Unit members can give evidence anonymously and whether the public must be excluded from the re‑trial of Edward McGrath (35) and Sharif Kelly (46) for the 2013 murder of Peter Butterly. The court has been told that the gun used was monitored by the unit and that a protected witness will testify against the two men. McGrath denies unlawful possession of a Beretta pistol and ammunition and denies intent to endanger life. A third accused, Dean Evans (24), was absent and not located, so the trial will proceed without him. The case is the second trial for McGrath and Kelly after the original collapsed in 2015. Prosecuting counsel said David Cullen, a protected witness, will testify that Kelly instructed him to collect and hide the gun, and that Cullen was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with three and a half years suspended for firearms charges. Edward McGrath pleaded not guilty. Sharif Kelly pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Non-jury court to rule on whether gardai can give evidence anonymously and with public excluded from court. Charges or matters: the murder of the 35-year-old father of three. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6, 2013 Incident
- 2017-01-16 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of the 35-year-old father of three (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Cullen would say that Kelly's role was to pick up McGrath and 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.
Accused
Charges: the murder of the 35-year-old father of three (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Cullen would say that Kelly's role was to pick up McGrath and 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
- The Special Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Dublin
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Grange Park
Topics
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