Courts / Dublin / Report

Gardai giving evidence in murder trial exit court through custody area

Summary

The trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly for the murder of Peter Butterly and associated firearm offences continued in the Special Criminal Court. All three defendants, who are alleged to have shot Butterly dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013, have pleaded not guilty. Evans and McGrath also face firearm charges for the same incident. The court heard evidence from National Surveillance Unit gardaí, who exited the courtroom via the custody area to protect their identities and operational methodology. Defence counsel Gaillíosa O'Lideadha SC argued that the storage of these witnesses in a shared room before testimony compromised the integrity of the process, a claim the prosecution rejected as a logistical necessity. The court has also heard that a fourth man, David Cullen, allegedly part of the murder plan, turned State's witness. Evidence indicated Butterly was lured to the scene, where shots were fired at his vehicle and as he attempted to flee. The prosecution noted this is the first case in the State's history involving a tracking device on a vehicle. The matter was adjourned and continues before a three-judge panel.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai giving evidence in murder trial exit court through custody area. 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 6 2013; firearm offences at the same address, on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 6 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2014-10-29 Publication

Why: Surveillance gardaí exited the Special Criminal Court through the custody area of the courtroom yesterday because they could not walk "out into the public as normal". CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report