Courts / Meath / Report
Accused 'panicked' after arranging to meet dissident at murder scene, defence say
Summary
A man accused of perverting the course of justice in connection with a dissident republican murder has been remanded on bail pending judgment. The Special Criminal Court hearing concerns Ray Kennedy, who is charged with deliberately destroying a mobile telephone SIM card on the day Peter Butterly was shot dead at Gormanston, County Meath in March 2013. The prosecution contends the SIM card would have been of significant evidential value to the murder investigation. Mr Kennedy's defence counsel argued his client had plausible reason to panic after arranging to meet Mr Butterly that afternoon about an illicit matter, and that the State has failed to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt. The three-judge court, presiding Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan, will deliver judgment on May 17th. Four men have already received life sentences for Mr Butterly's murder, with two others jailed for roles in the killing. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Accused 'panicked' after arranging to meet dissident at murder scene, defence say. Charges or matters: carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice, by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card, which was in his possession on March 6, 2013 in the State. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 6, 2013 Incident
- May 17 Adjournment
- March 6 Incident
- 2021-03-18 Publication
Why: Referring to the second ingredient in the charge, Mr Fitzgerald said the State maintained that when Mr Kennedy destroyed the SIM card he knew Mr Butterly had been murdered, that there was evidence relating to that on the SIM card and in order to interfere with the investigation he had intended to destroy it. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice, by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card, which was in his possession on March 6, 2013 in the State (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Two other men, Michael McDermott (60), of Riverdale House, Garrymore, Ballinagh, Co Cavan and 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.; Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan, remanded Mr Kennedy on continuing bail until May 17, when the court will deliver judgment on the case.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Whitestown Drive
- Blanchardstown
- Dublin
- Glenshane Crescent
- Tallaght
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Grange Park
- Ballinagh
- Cavan
- McDonagh Caravan Park
- Triton Road
- Riverdale House
Topics
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