Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy face IRA membership trial

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy went on trial for IRA membership at the Special Criminal Court on 8 October 2019. The prosecution also charged Kennedy with destroying a SIM card to impede the course of justice.

Both men pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA. The alleged killing took place outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, County Meath, on 6 March 2013.

The prosecution said Peter Butterly was shot in the car park shortly after 2pm. Counsel alleged that Kennedy arrived after the shooting and destroyed a SIM card which might have contained evidence.

The prosecution also alleged links between Kennedy, Murphy and others involved in planning and coordinating the killing. Those allegations remain matters for the trial and are not findings of guilt.

The trial was due to resume on 9 October 2019 before Ms Justice Tara Burns, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Michael Walsh.