Courts / Meath / Report
Senior garda's IRA belief not affected by information about key witness denial
Summary
During the Special Criminal Court trial of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy for the murder of Peter Butterly, Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard testified that his belief that the accused were members of the IRA was not affected by information that a key witness, David Cullen, had said he would deny IRA membership if called to testify. Howard, head of the Special Detective Unit, had formed his belief based on material he claimed privilege over, gathered in December 2017. He confirmed that no one in the investigation, including the DPP, had informed him of Cullen's statement, and he insisted the statement had no impact on his belief. Howard also denied any formal protocol or coaching on how to express such beliefs, and the defence will apply to exclude his evidence tomorrow. The trial continues. Laurence Murphy pleaded not guilty. Ray Kennedy pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Senior garda's IRA belief not affected by information about key witness denial. 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: trial
When:
- March 6th, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-12-02 Publication
Why: Mr Hartnett put to Det Chief Supt Howard: "Is it because a formula has been agreed in these cases that there would be blanket claims of privilege? CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
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
Convicted Person
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
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- McDonough Caravan Park
- Triton Road
- Whitestown Drive
- Blanchardstown
- Dublin
Topics
Related court reports
- Murderer's privacy rights not breached when gardaí listened in on KFC chat, court finds
- Privacy rights of 'New IRA' leader breached during surveillance, murder appeal told
- 'New IRA' leader should never have been convicted of dissident murder, lawyers argue
- Peter Butterly murderer fails in Supreme Court bid
- Sports complex manager sacked after taking two bottles of wine
- Man jailed for perverting investigation into dissident murder says he was unlawfully detained
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request