Courts / Meath / Report
Man who arranged to meet dissident at murder scene is jailed
Summary
A man has been sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment at the Special Criminal Court for perverting the course of justice during the investigation into a 2013 murder. Ray Kennedy, aged 40, was found guilty of destroying a mobile phone SIM card on the day Peter Butterly was fatally shot in a car park at Gormanston, County Meath. Kennedy had arranged to meet Butterly the previous day and arrived at the scene shortly after the killing. Gardaí had requested he remain for interview, but while waiting, he removed and disposed of the SIM card, which prosecutors described as evidentially significant. Justice Tony Hunt imposed a four-year headline sentence but suspended two and a half years on humanitarian grounds, citing Kennedy's daughter's serious health condition. The judge rejected Kennedy's account that he had panicked, finding instead that his actions were calculated. Kennedy must enter a good behaviour bond of one hundred euros for two and a half years following release. Ray Kennedy pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who arranged to meet dissident at murder scene is jailed. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- March 6, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2021-07-12 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
Convicted Person
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; In passing sentence today at the non-jury court, presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that Kennedy's case was one that presented "difficult circumstances" due to the ill health of his daughter. Two other men, Michael McDermott (61), of Riverdale House, Garrymore, Ballinagh, Co Cavan, and Frank Murphy (60), of McDonagh Caravan Park, Triton Road, Bettystown, Co Meath, who played roles in the murder of Mr Butterly have also been jailed.
Places mentioned
- Whitestown Drive
- Blanchardstown
- Dublin
- Glenshane Crescent
- Tallaght
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Grange Park
- Ballinagh
- Cavan
- McDonagh Caravan Park
- Triton Road
- Special Criminal Court
- Riverdale House
Topics
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