Courts / Meath / Report

Accused are members of IRA "guerilla army", senior garda tells trial

Date
2019-11-21

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Gormanston

County
Meath

Summary

A Detective Chief Superintendent has given evidence at the Special Criminal Court regarding two men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Peter Butterly in March 2013. The victim, aged 35, was killed in a car park at Gormanston, Co Meath. Laurence Murphy, aged 62, of Bettystown, Co Meath, and Ray Kennedy, aged 40, of Blanchardstown, Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Mr Kennedy faces an additional charge of perverting the course of justice. Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard, head of the Special Detective Unit, told the three-judge court of his belief that both men were members of the IRA. He declined to disclose the material upon which his belief rested, citing security concerns and the protection of life and property. Evidence was also heard of items recovered from the scene. Four men have previously received life sentences for Mr Butterly's murder, with two others also imprisoned for roles in the killing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused are members of IRA "guerilla army", senior garda tells trial. 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. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
March 7th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-11-21 Publication

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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Two other men, Michael McDermott (60), of Riverdale House, Garrymore, Ballinagh, Co Cavan and the accused's brother Frank Murphy (59), of McDonagh Caravan Park, Triton Road, Bettystown, Co Meath, who played roles in the murder of Mr Butterly have also been jailed.

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 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty