Courts / Meath / Report
Peter Butterly murder trial cannot proceed as scheduled
Summary
The Special Criminal Court ruled that the murder trial of three Dublin men—Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22), and Sharif Kelly (43)—cannot proceed as scheduled in July 2014. The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the killing of Peter Butterly (35) on 6 March 2013 at the Huntsman Inn car park. The court noted that the Director of Public Prosecution intends to call former co‑accused David Cullen (30) to give evidence, an unprecedented move. Cullen had been jailed for 3½ years for unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol and a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder count. The State's counsel said disclosure material was still pending and further letters from defence were received. The judge set a disclosure hearing for 17 July and suggested the trial might start in October, pending completion of disclosure and other procedural matters. The defendants remain not guilty on all charges.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Peter Butterly murder trial cannot proceed as scheduled. Charges or matters: the murder of Peter Butterly (35), who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, 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 the 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 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 1 Incident
- July 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-07-08 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, 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 the 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 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Last week Cullen was jailed for three-and-a-half years, having pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013.
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder of Peter Butterly (35), who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, 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 the 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
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder of Peter Butterly (35), who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, 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 the 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
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder of Peter Butterly (35), who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn at Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6th, 2013; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013; the murder of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, 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 the 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
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Grange Park
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
Topics
Related court reports
- Murderer's privacy rights not breached when gardaí listened in on KFC chat, court finds
- Privacy rights of 'New IRA' leader breached during surveillance, murder appeal told
- 'New IRA' leader should never have been convicted of dissident murder, lawyers argue
- Peter Butterly murderer fails in Supreme Court bid
- Sports complex manager sacked after taking two bottles of wine
- Man jailed for perverting investigation into dissident murder says he was unlawfully detained
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request