Courts / Meath / Report
Pair to be sentenced for their roles in dissident republican murder
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the sentencing of Frank Murphy and Michael McDermott to April 1, remanding both men in custody. Murphy, 58, pleaded guilty in November 2018 to committing an act to impede the apprehension or prosecution of David Cullen, whom he allegedly believed was guilty of possessing a firearm. McDermott, 60, pleaded guilty to helping an unlawful organisation, identified as the IRA, murder Peter Butterly. The court heard evidence that Butterly was shot dead in a Meath car park in March 2013. David Cullen, who was originally charged with murder, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol. His plea was accepted by the DPP, resulting in a nolle prosequi on the murder count. Cullen turned State's witness and was sentenced to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended, for the firearm possession. The court noted that four other men have already received life sentences for Butterly's murder. Neither Murphy nor McDermott has previous convictions. The judges, presiding over the non-jury court, indicated they will deliver their sentences on April 1.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pair to be sentenced for their roles in dissident republican murder. Charges or matters: committing an act to impede the apprehension or prosecution of David Cullen; helping an unlawful organisation murder Mr Butterly; unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2018 Incident
- March 6, 2013 Incident
- March 3 Incident
- July 2014 Incident
- March 3, 2013 Incident
- April 8, 2013 Incident
- April 8 Incident
- April 9, 2013 Incident
- March 7, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 1 Adjournment
- 2019-03-11 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Cullen was sentenced to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended, for possession of the firearm.
Defendant
Charges: committing an act to impede the apprehension or prosecution of David Cullen (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: remanded in custody
Defendant
Charges: helping an unlawful organisation murder Mr Butterly (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: remanded in custody
Places mentioned
- McDonagh Caravan Park
- Triton Road
- Ballinagh
- Cavan
- Dunleer
- Louth
- Glenshane Crescent
- Tallaght
- Dublin
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Grange Park
- Charlestown
- Riverdale House
- Special Criminal Court
- Flemingstown Road
- Flemingstown Road
Topics
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