Public excluded from court as NSU garda gives evidence
A garda member of the National Surveillance Unit (NSU) who was present in a car park shortly after dissident republican Peter Butterly was shot dead there gave evidence at the Special Criminal Court today at the trial of three men accused of the murder.
The court has directed that none of the evidence of the members of the National Surveillance Unit or their identities can be made public and that members of the public should not be present in court during evidence given by the NSU.
Two members of the NSU gave evidence today and left the court through the custody area to avoid any identification by members of the public.
It was the 27thday of the trial of three men accused of the murder of Mr Butterly who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Co Meath in March, 2013.
Dean Evans (aged 24), of Grange Park Rise, Raheny, Dublin Edward McGrath (aged 33) of Land Dale Lawns, Springfield Tallaght, Dublin and Sharif Kelly (aged 44), of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly (aged 35) who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, at Gormanston Co Meath on March 6, 2013.
Mr Evans and Mr McGrath have also pleaded not guilty to firearm offences at the same address, on the same date.
A fourth man, Mr Dave Cullen (aged 30) from Balbriggan was allegedly “part of the murder plan himself” but has turned State's witness.
The court has heard that Mr Butterly was “lured” to the car park of the Huntsman Inn by another man not before the court at approximately 2pm on March 6, 2013.
A Toyota Corolla vehicle was seen entering the car park and within minutes, shots were fired at Mr Butterly's vehicle and further shots were discharged when he exited his car and attempted to flee.
Prosecuting counsel, Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC, has said Mr Butterly was found by a lone garda collapsed in a corner of the car park and was pronounced dead a short time later.
The trial is continuing.
