Tadhg Butler’s murder conviction quashed on appeal

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

Tadhg Butler had his murder conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal on 3 July 2017. The conviction arose from the fatal stabbing of Michael O’Dwyer at a house in Seafield, Tramore, County Waterford, on 10 January 2014.

Butler had represented himself during part of his Central Criminal Court trial after dismissing his legal team. The appeal court held that he should have been advised that his new account could not be considered by the jury without sworn evidence.

The court said the trial judge was entitled to require the trial to continue, but should have given Butler further guidance about presenting his defence. The Court of Appeal was to hear submissions on whether a retrial should be ordered.