Ray Kennedy pleads not guilty to IRA membership charge

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

Ray Kennedy and Laurence Murphy pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA. The charge relates to 6 March 2013.

Kennedy was also charged with carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card in his possession on 6 March 2013.

The proceedings were reported on 10 October 2019. The trial at the Special Criminal Court was continuing before Ms Justice Tara Burns, presiding, Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Michael Walsh.

Peter Butterly was shot dead shortly after 2pm on 6 March 2013 outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath. He died from gunshot wounds to his neck and upper back.

On 10 October 2019, prosecuting counsel Caroline Cummings read a statement made by his widow, Eithne Butterly, on 16 April 2013. Mrs Butterly described Kennedy as a good friend to both her and her husband. She said her husband had told her he was meeting Kennedy at the inn at 2pm on the day of the shooting; the prosecution said Kennedy maintained that the meeting was due at 2.30pm.