Courts / Meath / Report

Former murder accused turned State's witness denies entering witness protection would be "attractive"

Date
2014-12-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Gormanston

County
Meath

Summary

The trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly for the murder of Peter Butterly is continuing before the Special Criminal Court. The three defendants, who are alleged to have murdered the 35-year-old father of two and committed firearm offences on the same occasion, have all pleaded not guilty. During cross-examination, State witness David Cullen, a former co-accused who turned State's witness, denied that joining the Witness Protection Programme would be an attractive option. Defence counsel for Sharif Kelly suggested Cullen had little to lose and that leaving Ireland would be a fresh start, citing Cullen's limited family connections. Cullen rejected this characterization, though he acknowledged a phone conversation with his father where he described going abroad as a "fresh start" to escape local issues. Cullen, who is currently serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for lesser offences, agreed he faced a serious risk of a life sentence for the Butterly murder. He also acknowledged offering the State information on other high-profile murders to secure his deal. The trial is proceeding before a three-judge, non-jury court presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former murder accused turned State's witness denies entering witness protection would be "attractive". Charges or matters: murdering the 35-year-old father of two; firearm offences on the same occasion. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 5th, 2014 Other
March 6 2013 Other
2014-12-04 Publication

Why: He agreed with Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, defending Sharif Kelly, today that he had an incentive to make allegations about his client because he was avoiding life in prison. Defence account reported by CNI