Courts / Cavan / Report

Man admits helping IRA carry out murder of dissident republican

Date
2018-11-23

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Cavan

County
Cavan

Summary

A man from Cavan has pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to assisting an unlawful organisation in the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly. Michael McDermott, aged 59, of Ballinagh, Co. Cavan, admitted to knowingly rendering assistance to the IRA in furthering the unlawful killing of Mr Butterly at various locations between 3 and 6 March 2013. Mr Butterly was shot outside the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath, on 6 March 2013 in the presence of schoolchildren awaiting buses. McDermott had initially pleaded not guilty to murder and related firearms charges, with trial proceedings commenced in October. He was recharged under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 this morning and entered a guilty plea to the fresh count. The prosecution entered a nolle prosequi on the three original charges. McDermott has been remanded in custody pending sentencing on 28 January 2019. Two further defendants, Frank Murphy and Kevin Braney, both deny murder and firearms possession charges relating to the incident. The trial continues before the three-judge court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man admits helping IRA carry out murder of dissident republican. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Butterly and the trial has been underway since the beginning of October; murdering Mr Butterly; possession of a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with the intent to commit murder and possession of seven rounds of 9mm ammunition on the day of the killing itself. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 6, 2013 Incident
March 3 Incident
March 5, 2013 Incident
January 28 2019 Adjournment
2018-11-23 Publication

Why: Paul O'Higgins SC, prosecuting, opened the trial, telling the judges that it was an unusual case because gardai were already keeping an eye on movements in the area that day as a result of certain suspicions. CNI source report

Case subjects

Frank Murphy

Applicant

Charges: murdering Mr Butterly; possession of a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with the intent to commit murder and possession of seven rounds of 9mm ammunition on the day of the killing itself (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Kevin Braney

Defendant

Charges: murdering Mr Butterly (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Michael McDermott

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Mr Butterly and the trial has been underway since the beginning of October; murdering Mr Butterly; possession of a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with the intent to commit murder and possession of seven rounds of 9mm ammunition on the day of the killing itself (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Coffey, sitting, with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, remanded McDermott in custody until January 28 2019, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Coffey, sitting, with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, remanded McDermott in custody until January 28 2019, when he will be sentenced.