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Court quashes murder conviction of man who represented himself during trial
Summary
Tadhg Butler, 36, of Seafield, Tramore, was convicted of murdering Michael O'Dwyer, 25, at his home on 10 January 2014. During the trial he dismissed his legal team on day six and chose to represent himself, recalling his nephew, Anthony O'Grady, as a witness. Butler presented a new version of events, claiming he had accidentally stabbed O'Dwyer while removing a knife from O'Grady, a claim denied by O'Grady. The jury found Butler guilty after 2 h 26 min of deliberation and he received a mandatory life sentence on 15 May 2015. On appeal, the Court of Appeal held that the trial judge should have advised Butler that his new version could not be considered by the jury without sworn evidence. Consequently, the Court quashed Butler's conviction, with the possibility of a retrial to be considered later. Tadhg Butler pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court quashes murder conviction of man who represented himself during trial. Charges or matters: the murder of Michael O'Dwyer (25) at that address on January 10, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- January 10, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 15, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-07-03 Publication
Why: He said the trial judge correctly told the jury that it could not consider as evidence Butler's suggestion that his stabbing of the deceased was accidental because Butler had not given that evidence under oath. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of Michael O'Dwyer (25) at that address on January 10, 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Butler was unanimously found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury after two hours and 26 minutes of deliberations and he was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on May 15, 2015.
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