Courts / Dublin / Report

Murder accused told two days before statement that murder charge would be dropped, court hears

Summary

In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a former accused who became a prosecution witness in the Peter Butterly murder case was informed two days before he gave a statement to the gardai that his murder charge would be dropped. The case involves two Dublin men, Edward McGrath (35) and Sharif Kelly (47), who pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 35‑year‑old Peter Butterly, who was shot outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston on 6 March 2013. McGrath also pleaded not guilty to firearms offences. A third accused, Dean Evans (24), failed to appear and has not been located. The court also heard cross‑examination of David Cullen, who had previously offered statements on several IRA‑related cases, including Butterly's shooting. Cullen claimed he was told the murder charge would be dropped before he gave his statement, a claim that his counsel, Giollaíosa Ó'Lideadha SC, used to question the admissibility of Cullen's evidence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told two days before statement that murder charge would be dropped, court hears. Charges or matters: the alleged murder; firearms offences on the same occasion. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 27th, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 5th Adjournment
• June 10th Other
• 2017-02-09 Publication

Why: Cullen said that the note's contents meant the gardai "would refuse [his offer] because they have a very strong case anyway. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report