Courts / Meath / Report
Two counsel assigned to advise former murder accused turned State's witness in "unprecedented situation"
Summary
The Special Criminal Court has ordered that two counsel be assigned to advise David Cullen, the chief prosecution witness, during his cross-examination in the ongoing trial of three men accused of murdering Peter Butterly. Presiding Judge Deirdre Murphy described the situation as unprecedented, noting a lack of superior court guidance regarding legal professional privilege. The court directed that excerpts from Cullen's previous evidence be made available to his legal team, a move opposed by the defence. Cullen, who pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn and was jailed for three-and-a-half years in July, turned State's witness after a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder count. He testified that he was tasked with picking up a gun outside Gormanston College, where he was arrested after it was thrown from a car. The trial continues before a three-judge non-jury court. Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly have all pleaded not guilty to murdering the 35-year-old father of two. Evans and McGrath have additionally pleaded not guilty to firearm offences on the same occasion. The matter remains at the trial stage, with the court proceeding with the cross-examination of the State's witness.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Two counsel assigned to advise former murder accused turned State's witness in "unprecedented situation". Charges or matters: murdering the 35-year-old father of two; 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 3rd, 2013 Other
- 2014-11-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering the 35-year-old father of two; 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 father of two; 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 father of two; 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 father of two; 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
- The Special Criminal Court
- Grange Park
- Tallaght
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Gormanston
Topics
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