Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda recited Act of Contrition for dissident republican he found with massive gunshot injuries, murder trial hears

Date
2017-01-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Balbriggan

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court murder trial, a Garda National Surveillance Unit officer recited the Act of Contrition to Peter Butterly, who was found with massive gunshot injuries to his head in a Meath carpark on 6 March 2013. Butterly, a dissident republican, was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanstown. The trial excluded the public while the officer and colleagues gave anonymous evidence. The accused, Edward McGrath (35) of Springfield, Tallaght, and Sharif Kelly (46) of Balbriggan, pleaded not guilty to Butterly's murder and to firearms offences. A third accused, Dean Evans (24) of Raheny, failed to appear and was not located. The court heard that the gunman's car was monitored by the National Surveillance Unit; an officer, identified only as Member B, described spotting a suspicious black Laguna in the carpark, finding Butterly lying on the ground, and holding his hand while reciting an act of contrition.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda recited Act of Contrition for dissident republican he found with massive gunshot injuries, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: his murder; firearms offences on the same occasion. Procedural stage: trial

When: