Courts / Meath / Report
Court orders disclosure of surveillance documents in Butterly murder trial
Summary
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 1 October 2014, the court considered an application by the Director of Public Prosecution to claim legal privilege over three documents relating to the surveillance of three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly. The accused – Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22) and Sharif Kelly (43) – had pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences. The court heard that a Toyota Corolla entered the Huntsman Inn car park shortly after Butterly was lured there, and shots were fired, causing Butterly to fall. The prosecution's case relied on forensic, firearm residue, DNA evidence and testimony from David Cullen, who was described as part of the murder plan. During cross‑examination, a senior Garda admitted that one of the documents sought for privilege was relevant to the defence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Court orders disclosure of surveillance documents in Butterly murder trial. 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; firearm offences at the same address and on the same date. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-10-01 Publication
Why: A ruling is yet to be made on whether the DPP can erect a "screen" between members of the public and nine gardaí from the National Surveillance Unit in order to protect their "physical characteristics". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
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; firearm offences at the same address and on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
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; firearm offences at the same address and on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
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; firearm offences at the same address and on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Tallaght
- Grange Park
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- High Court
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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