Courts / Meath / Report

Accused said he went on marches with slain Real IRA leader because he was "nosy"

Date
2019-11-18
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Gormanston
County
Meath

Summary

In the Special Criminal Court, the prosecution presented evidence regarding the March 6, 2013, shooting death of Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath. Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, both accused of IRA membership on that date, have pleaded not guilty. Mr Kennedy is additionally charged with perverting the course of justice by destroying a SIM card. Prosecutors read witness statements from Mr Kennedy, who alleged he met Mr Butterly to discuss false car logbooks and claimed he destroyed his phone's SIM card in panic when a garda requested the device. Mr Kennedy denied IRA membership, stating he attended marches with slain Real IRA leader Alan Ryan because he was "nosy." He also denied luring Mr Butterly to the scene. The court heard that Mr Kennedy knew David Dodrill, who was convicted of IRA membership in April 2010, and acknowledged knowing Dermot Gannon, jailed for IRA membership in 2001. The matter is at the sentence stage, with the accused maintaining their not guilty pleas to the alleged offences.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused said he went on marches with slain Real IRA leader because he was "nosy". Charges or matters: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on March 6th, 2013; IRA membership in April 2010. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: A man charged in connection with the killing of dissident republican Peter Butterly told gardai that he went on marches with slain Real IRA leader Alan Ryan because he was "nosy". CNI source report

Case subjects

Laurence Murphy

Accused

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on March 6th, 2013; IRA membership in April 2010 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Ray Kennedy

Accused

Charges: membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on March 6th, 2013; IRA membership in April 2010 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
Garda Station
  • interviewed again at Ashbourne Garda Station
  • Ashbourne
Facility

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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