Courts / Dublin / Report

New IRA leader jailed for life

Date
2019-02-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The leader of the so-called New IRA in Dublin, Kevin Braney (44), was today jailed for life for the murder of Peter Butterly (35) almost six years ago. Braney was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court last Monday of the 'premeditated' murder of Mr Butterly, who was chased and shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013. Braney had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Butterly. Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, said the court was driven 'irresistibly' to the conclusion that Braney was involved in the organisation and planning of Mr Butterly's murder beyond a reasonable doubt. In 2018, Braney was sentenced to four years and six months after he was found guilty of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Coffey, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, then sentenced Braney to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, backdated to when he first went into custody for this matter on September 14, 2017. Ms Caroline Cummings BL asked the court that a 'nolle prosequi' be entered on the outstanding count of membership, meaning the State will not be proceeding with the prosecution in relation to this count. Edward McGrath (37), Sharif Kelly (49), and Dean Evans (27) have all received life sentences at the Special Criminal Court after they were convicted of Mr Butterly's murder. The court found that Braney had been involved and participated in Mr Butterly's murder.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: New IRA leader jailed for life. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting; murdering Mr Butterly; IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty

When:

March 6, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
October 4 Hearing Or Sentence
August 2, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
September 14, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
March 7 Hearing Or Sentence
March 5 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-02-08 Publication

Why: OPENING: Paul O'Higgins SC, prosecuting, opened the trial on October 4 last year, 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

Dean Evans

Convicted Person

Charges: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)

Edward McGrath

Convicted Person

Charges: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)

Kevin Braney

Convicted Person

Charges: murdering Mr Butterly; IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; In 2018, Braney was sentenced to four years and six months after he was found guilty of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Coffey, presiding, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, then sentenced Braney to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, backdated to when he first went into custody for this matter on September 14, 2017.

New Ira

Convicted Person

Charges: murdering Mr Butterly; IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Proven)

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; New IRA in Dublin was today jailed for life for the murder of another dissident republican almost six years ago. In 2018, Braney was sentenced to four years and six months after he was found guilty of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court.

Sharif Kelly

Convicted Person

Charges: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)