Courts / Meath / Report
Butterly murder accused pleads guilty to impeding firearms investigation
Summary
Frank Murphy, 58, pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of State witness David Cullen, who had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol. Murphy had originally pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly, a trial underway since October, but the DPP directed that he be recharged under Section 7(2) of the Criminal Law Act, 1997. Prosecution counsel confirmed the DPP would not proceed with the original murder charges against Murphy. Co-accused Michael McDermott, 59, pleaded guilty last Friday to assisting an unlawful organisation in the murder of Mr Butterly. Both men were remanded in custody by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judges Martin Nolan and James Faughnan, until January 28, 2019, for sentencing. Kevin Braney, 43, who pleaded not guilty to the murder and related firearm charges, remains in the trial. The court refused Braney's application for the judges to discharge themselves. The trial against Braney continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Butterly murder accused pleads guilty to impeding firearms investigation. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting; the murder of Mr Butterly and the trial has been underway since the beginning of October; the murder of Mr Butterly in October and his trial was underway; murdering Mr Butterly. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6, 2013 Incident
- July 2014 Incident
- July 2nd, 2014 Incident
- March 3 Incident
- March 5, 2013 Incident
- January 28 2019 Adjournment
- 2018-11-26 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
Accused
Charges: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting; the murder of Mr Butterly and the trial has been underway since the beginning of October; the murder of Mr Butterly in October and his trial was underway; murdering Mr Butterly (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, today remanded Murphy in custody until January 28 2019, when he will be sentenced along with McDermott.; Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, today remanded Murphy in custody until January 28 2019, when he will be sentenced along with McDermott.
Co Accused
Charges: the murder of Mr Butterly in October and his trial was underway; murdering Mr Butterly (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, today remanded Murphy in custody until January 28 2019, when he will be sentenced along with McDermott.; Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, today remanded Murphy in custody until January 28 2019, when he will be sentenced along with McDermott.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- from Laytown Garda Station
- Riverdale House
- Brackenwood Avenue
Topics
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