Courts / Wicklow / Report

Pete Taylor tells murder trial he was within 'touching distance' of gunman

Date
2021-07-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Bray

County
Wicklow

Summary

During a trial in the Central Criminal Court, boxing trainer Pete Taylor recounted being shot while conducting a morning fitness class at his Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. He said he was within a foot of the gunman, a man named Gerard Cervi, when a bullet struck him, causing him to spin and fall. Taylor described the gunman as about five feet eight inches tall, wearing a black jacket and high‑visibility vest, and reported hearing seven or eight shots over 15 to 20 seconds. He also complained that his runners and tracksuit bottoms, containing €200‑€400, were removed by paramedics and never returned, a claim he later lodged with the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission. The case involves Cervi's plea of not guilty to the murder of Bobby Messett and the attempted murder of Taylor and Ian Britton. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Michael White with a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pete Taylor tells murder trial he was within 'touching distance' of gunman. Charges or matters: murdering Bobby Messett (50) at Mr Taylor's Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow during an early morning fitness session on June 5, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 5, 2018 Other
2021-07-06 Publication

Why: "I just decided to run at him, not directly towards him because there were machines in the way that I had to run around to get to him. CNI source report

Case subjects

Gerard Cervi

Defendant

Charges: murdering Bobby Messett (50) at Mr Taylor's Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow during an early morning fitness session on June 5, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty