Courts / Meath / Report
Man who arranged to meet dissident on day he was murdered is found guilty of disrupting investigation
Summary
A man has been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of disrupting the garda investigation into the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly in 2013. Ray Kennedy, aged 41, from Blanchardstown, Dublin, was convicted of destroying a mobile phone SIM card on the day of the killing at Gormanston, County Meath. The court heard Kennedy had arranged to meet Butterly that afternoon and arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting. Evidence showed Kennedy's phone had contacted a burner phone connected to the murder. Kennedy claimed he panicked when approached by gardaí and destroyed the SIM card, but the judge rejected this account as not credible and found his actions were a calculated attempt to obstruct the investigation. Four men have already received life sentences for Butterly's murder, with two others also convicted and jailed for their roles. Kennedy was granted bail pending sentencing on 21 June. The unnamed accused was acquitted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who arranged to meet dissident on day he was murdered is found guilty of disrupting investigation. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- March 6, 2013 Incident
- December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 21 Adjournment
- 2021-05-17 Publication
Why: Kennedy told gardaí that he was responsible for bringing Mr Butterly to the scene in order to meet with him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; 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.; He then adjourned the matter to June 21 for sentencing.
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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