Courts / Wicklow / Report
Facebook photos of Bray Boxing Club shooter with gun prejudiced his jury, barrister claims
Summary
A 38-year-old man, Gerard Cervi, who was convicted of murdering Robert Bobby' Messett at Bray Boxing Club in 2018, is appealing his conviction. His barrister, John Fitzgerald SC, argues that the trial judge made errors in admitting Facebook photos showing Cervi holding a firearm, as they were irrelevant and prejudicial. He also claims that the jury should have received stronger warnings about identifying Cervi from CCTV footage. Additionally, Fitzgerald contends that surveillance photos of Cervi in his garden and evidence from the Volkswagen Caddy van were improperly admitted. Cervi was found guilty of Messett's murder but acquitted of attempting to murder Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. The appeal hearing continues, with the State's legal team to respond to Fitzgerald's submissions. The trial judge admitted the Facebook photos based on the stance Cervi adopted, which mirrored that described by Pete Taylor. Cervi was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2023. The unnamed 38-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Facebook photos of Bray Boxing Club shooter with gun prejudiced his jury, barrister claims. Charges or matters: murdering Robert Bobby' Messett at Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018; the attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton on the same date and at the same location; Mr Messett's murder by a unanimous jury verdict after two trials lasting a combined 17 weeks over a two-year period and was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment in December 2023. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- June 5, 2018 Incident
- December 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-05-11 Publication
Why: No motive was ever advanced for why Gerard Cervi entered Bray Boxing Club at about 6. 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 Pete Taylor and Ian Britton on the same date and at the same location; Mr Messett's murder by a unanimous jury verdict after two trials lasting a combined 17 weeks over a two-year period and was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment in December 2023 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; Cervi was found guilty of Mr Messett's murder by a unanimous jury verdict after two trials lasting a combined 17 weeks over a two-year period and was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment in December 2023.
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