Courts / Ireland / Report

Argument over legality of detention of Peter Butterly murder accused continues

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 27 January 2017, the legality of the detention of two men accused of murdering dissident republican Peter Butterly was contested. The 35‑year‑old victim was shot outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanstown, Co. Meath, on 6 March 2013. Edward McGrath (35) of Springfield, Tallaght, and Sharif Kelly (46) of Balbriggan pleaded not guilty to the murder charge; McGrath also pleaded not guilty to firearms offences. A third accused, Dean Evans (24) of Raheny, Dublin, failed to appear and has not been located. The court proceeded with McGrath and Kelly in Evans's absence. Defence counsel argued the men were unlawfully detained by the National Surveillance Unit, citing an unacceptable delay and questioning the invocation of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. Prosecution counsel countered that Garda evidence and CCTV showed the men understood the reasons for their arrest and that Section 30 was properly invoked.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Argument over legality of detention of Peter Butterly murder accused continues. Charges or matters: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-01-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report