Courts / Meath / Report
Former murder accused turned State's witness given permission for consultation during cross-examination
Summary
The Special Criminal Court trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly, who are accused of murdering Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn in March 2013, continued with procedural developments regarding State witness David Cullen. Evans, McGrath, and Kelly have pleaded not guilty to the murder, while Evans and McGrath also face firearm charges. Cullen, who previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol and was jailed for three-and-a-half years, entered the witness box to request a consultation with his solicitor before continuing his cross-examination. Although the court initially refused, presiding Justice Deirdre Murphy ultimately granted the request, noting it was appropriate for the witness to receive legal advice on arising issues. Cullen had previously testified that he was part of a plan to pick up a gun, which he later claimed was used in the killing. He described receiving ammunition from Evans and witnessing a gun thrown from a car near Gormanston College. The court heard that Butterly was shot in the car park after being lured there. The trial, which involves a non-jury panel, was adjourned to continue on Tuesday before Justices Murphy, Heneghan, and Judge Dunne.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former murder accused turned State's witness given permission for consultation during cross-examination. Charges or matters: murdering the 35-year-old; firearm offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn that day. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- Sunday March 3 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-11-20 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering the 35-year-old; firearm offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn that day (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Cullen was jailed for three-and-a-half years in July, having pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn that day.
Defendant
Charges: murdering the 35-year-old; firearm offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn that day (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: murdering the 35-year-old; firearm offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn that day (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: murdering the 35-year-old; firearm offences on the same occasion; the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn that day (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Grange Park
- Tallaght
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Gormanston
Topics
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