Courts / Wicklow / Report
Bray Boxing Club victim died from single shot to the head, trial hears
Summary
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, retired State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy testified that Bobby Messett, aged 50, died from a single gunshot wound to the head during a fitness class at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The bullet entered through the left side of the nose, travelled diagonally through the upper jaw, nose, left eye and into the skull cavity, exiting at the back of the head. Dr Cassidy described extensive fractures, brain swelling, haemorrhage into the brain stem and blood‑stained clothing, concluding that death was caused by the gunshot. She noted the absence of secondary projectiles, indicating a distance of at least one metre between victim and shooter. The trial also covers Gerard Cervi's charges of murder and attempted murder, but the evidence presented focuses solely on Messett's fatal injury. The hearing continues before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bray Boxing Club victim died from single shot to the head, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Messett and the attempted murder of boxing trainer Peter Taylor and Ian Britton; murdering Mr Messett (50) at Mr Taylor's Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 5, 2018 Other
- June 5 Other
- 2021-07-09 Publication
Why: The back of the victim's t-shirt was heavily blood-stained because he had been lying face up and on his back since he was shot some hours earlier, she indicated. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Mr Messett and the attempted murder of boxing trainer Peter Taylor and Ian Britton; murdering Mr Messett (50) at Mr Taylor's Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Messett and the attempted murder of boxing trainer Peter Taylor and Ian Britton; murdering Mr Messett (50) at Mr Taylor's Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)
Accused
Charges: murdering Mr Messett and the attempted murder of boxing trainer Peter Taylor and Ian Britton; murdering Mr Messett (50) at Mr Taylor's Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- St Columcille's Hospital
Topics
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