Courts / Meath / Report
Man charged with murder of Peter Butterly to be prosecution witness against co-accused
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a Dublin man, David Cullen, 29, who had been charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, agreed to become a prosecution witness against his three co‑accused. Cullen, of Brackenwood Avenue, Balbriggan, had previously been charged alongside Edward McGrath, 32, Dean Evans, 22, and Sharif Kelly, 43, for the March 6, 2013 killing of Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, at the Huntsman Inn car park in Gormanston, Co. Meath. Cullen made a voluntary statement to Gardaí and indicated he would plead guilty to a firearms offence under Section 27A of the Firearms Act, a plea acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Director therefore requested that Cullen be called as a witness in the case against the other three accused. Cullen's arraignment and sentencing were postponed until the following day, and the prosecution has stated it will not call him to give evidence until after he has been sentenced. Edward McGrath pleaded not guilty. Dean Evans pleaded not guilty. Sharif Kelly pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man charged with murder of Peter Butterly to be prosecution witness against co-accused. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Butterly at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6th, 2013 Incident
- July 31 Adjournment
- 2014-07-01 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of Mr Butterly at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: She said Mr Cullen's case was to be put back until tomorrow for arraignment and sentence, and the prosecution had taken the view that it was not appropriate for Mr Cullen to give evidence unless and until he was sentenced.
Accused
Charges: the murder of Mr Butterly at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She said Mr Cullen's case was to be put back until tomorrow for arraignment and sentence, and the prosecution had taken the view that it was not appropriate for Mr Cullen to give evidence unless and until he was sentenced.
Co Accused
Charges: the murder of Mr Butterly at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She said Mr Cullen's case was to be put back until tomorrow for arraignment and sentence, and the prosecution had taken the view that it was not appropriate for Mr Cullen to give evidence unless and until he was sentenced.
Accused
Charges: the murder of Mr Butterly at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition at same address on the same date; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She said Mr Cullen's case was to be put back until tomorrow for arraignment and sentence, and the prosecution had taken the view that it was not appropriate for Mr Cullen to give evidence unless and until he was sentenced.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Balbriggan
- Tallaght
- Grange Park
- Pinewood Green Road
Topics
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