Courts / Wicklow / Report
Jury to deliberate for third day in Bray Boxing Club murder trial
Summary
The Central Criminal Court trial of Gerard Cervi, 36, has reached the jury deliberation stage. Cervi, from Dublin 3, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Robert 'Bobby' Messett and the alleged attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on June 5, 2018. The prosecution alleged that Cervi was the gunman who fired nine shots, citing CCTV footage of his movements and his DNA and fingerprints found in a Volkswagen Caddy van allegedly used in the attack. Defence counsel argued that a garda's retracted statements indicated investigative irregularities and asserted that there was no evidence linking Cervi to the shooting. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor charged the jury last Friday, instructing them to consider each count separately and reach unanimous verdicts. The jury, comprising six men and six women, began deliberations on Wednesday afternoon. After spending five hours and 51 minutes in discussion, the judge adjourned the proceedings for the evening. The jury was instructed to resume deliberations at the Central Criminal Court at 10.30am the following day. They were reminded not to discuss the case, conduct online research, or engage with social media regarding the trial. The matter remains ongoing as the jury continues to consider their verdicts.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury to deliberate for third day in Bray Boxing Club murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett at Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018; the attempted murders of Mr Taylor and Ian Britton on the same date and at the same location. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 5, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-11-23 Publication
Why: Mr Hartnett told the jurors that his client had no motive for the attack, no background in crime and there was not an "iota" of evidence to identify him as the gunman. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett at Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018; the attempted murders of Mr Taylor and Ian Britton on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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