Courts / Meath / Report
Pair have convictions for murdering dissident republican upheld
Summary
In March 2017 the Special Criminal Court sentenced Sharif Kelly, 51, and Edward McGrath, 39, to life imprisonment for the 2013 gun murder of 35‑year‑old Peter Butterly, a father of three, who was shot outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston. The murder trial lasted 35 days after a collapsed first trial in 2015. McGrath was also convicted of firearms offences. The State's main witness was former co‑accused David Cullen, who had his murder charge dropped after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a semi‑automatic pistol and was jailed for three‑and‑a‑half years. Kelly and McGrath appealed, arguing Cullen's testimony was unreliable and that McGrath had no knowledge of the murder plan. The Court of Appeal, in a 170‑page judgment, rejected both appeals, finding the evidence against the appellants sufficient and the admissibility of Cullen's testimony justified. The court noted no error in the trial's findings and declined to quash the convictions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pair have convictions for murdering dissident republican upheld. Charges or matters: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 6, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2014 Incident
- May 6 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-03-31 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: In July 2014, Cullen was jailed for three-and-a-half years after he pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting.
Convicted Person
Charges: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Edward McGrath (39) last of Land Dale Lawns, Springfield, Tallaght, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court in March 2017 after they were convicted of murdering Mr Butterly on March 6, 2013.
Appellant
Charges: the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Sharif Kelly (51), last of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan, and Edward McGrath (39) last of Land Dale Lawns, Springfield, Tallaght, were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court in March 2017 after they were convicted of murdering Mr Butterly on March 6, 2013.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Special Criminal Court
- Pinewood Green Road
- Balbriggan
- Tallaght
Topics
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