Courts / Meath / Report
Right to life of witnesses must be taken in to account, non-jury court hears
Summary
The Special Criminal Court, a non‑jury court, is set to decide on several legal matters in the trial of three men—Edward McGrath (32), Dean Evans (22) and Sharif Kelly (43)—who have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly (35). Butterly was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, on 6 March 2013. The defendants also face firearm charges. The court will consider the State's request to allow surveillance officers to give evidence anonymously, citing a 1996 law that permits such testimony when public interest and safety warrant it. The prosecution seeks to erect a screen between surveillance officers and the public to protect the witnesses' identities. The case also involves forensic evidence, firearm residue, DNA, and testimony from David Cullen (30), who was previously jailed for unlawful possession of a pistol and whose role in the murder plan is contested. The court will rule on these matters tomorrow.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Right to life of witnesses must be taken in to account, non-jury court hears. 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; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6th, 2013 Incident
- March 5 2013 Incident
- 2014-10-15 Publication
Why: Because without it (legislation), it can't be done. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The disclosures include Mr Cullen's medical records, a laptop computer seized by gardaí, details regarding his application to the witness protection programme, records pertaining to his detention in Portlaoise Prison, legal notes made between Mr Cullen and his lawyers prior to him becoming a "crucial prosecution witness" and confirmation on whether or not he had ever been a garda informant. In July, Mr 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.
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; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013 (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; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013 (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; the unlawful possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on March 6th, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Grange Park
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Prison
Topics
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