Courts / Wicklow / Report
Bray Boxing Club murder trial collapses
Summary
The Central Criminal Court trial of Gerard Cervi for the murder of Bobby Messett and attempted murder of coach Pete Taylor at Bray Boxing Club collapsed after a juror became seriously ill, reducing the jury below the required ten members. Judge Michael White adjourned the case and discharged the remaining nine jurors, exempting them from future service. Cervi, aged 50, had pleaded not guilty to the killings that occurred on 5 June 2018, when a gunman entered the club, fired nine shots from a semi‑automatic pistol, killing Messett instantly and injuring Taylor and Ian Britton. The prosecution alleged Cervi was the lone gunman, linking him to a silver Volkswagen van seen near the club and to a bicycle at Pigeon House Road. Witnesses described the chaotic shooting, the gunman's appearance, and the subsequent removal of Taylor's clothing by paramedics. The trial was scheduled to resume on 11 October 2021.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bray Boxing Club murder trial collapses. Charges or matters: murdering Bobby Messett (50) at Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 11 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 5, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 29 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 24 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 22 Adjournment
- June 5 Other
- 2021-09-06 Publication
Why: Mr Murray explained that if one added all the pieces together, the prosecution would say that not only was Mr Cervi the man on the bike, not only was he the man in the van but that he was also the man who entered Bray Boxing Club just before 7am that morning and carried out the shooting. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Bobby Messett (50) at Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Bray, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: However, nine members of the jury arrived in court last Thursday and Mr Justice White told them he was "sorry to hear about the illness to one of your number." He said he hoped the juror would make a good recovery and adjourned the trial until today, when he expected the court to have more information on the juror's condition.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Russell Avenue
- Pigeon House Road
- Merrion Road
- Pigeon House
- St Vincent's Hospital
Topics
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