Cavan man pleads guilty to helping unlawful organisation murder dissident republican Peter Butterly

A Cavan man has pleaded guilty before the non-jury Special Criminal Court this morning (Friday) to helping an unlawful organisation murder dissident republican Peter Butterly. 

Mr Butterly (35) was chased and shot outside a Meath pub - The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston - in view of students waiting for their school bus on the afternoon of March 6, 2013. 

Michael McDermott (59), of Riverdale House, Garrymore, Ballinagh, admitted today (Friday) to knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, directly or indirectly, in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object, to wit, the murder of Peter Butterly, at diverse locations within the State, between March 3 and 6, 2013, both dates inclusive.

McDermott had originally pleaded not guilty at the three-judge court to the murder of Mr Butterly and the trial has been underway since the beginning of October.
 
McDermott had also denied possession of a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to commit murder and possession of seven rounds of 9mm ammunition on March 5, 2013 at Blackthorn Apartments, Brackenwood Avenue, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.
 
Paul O’Higgins SC, prosecuting, told the court this morning that McDermott was to be recharged on a scheduled offence under Section 49 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005.
 
State Solicitor Michael O’Donovan said the DPP had directed that McDermott be brought before the court and charged with this new offence which is contrary to Section 21a of the Offences against the State Act 1939.
 
Detective Garda Brian McCarthy gave evidence that he met McDermott before the court sat this morning and handed him a copy of the charge sheet, explaining the charge to him.
 
When the registrar put the new count to McDermott and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: “Guilty”.
 
A book of evidence was then served on the defendant.
 
Mr O'Higgins asked the court that a “nolle prosequi” be entered on the three charges, which McDermott had originally been charged with. This means the State will not be proceeding with the prosecution in relation to these three other counts.
 
Padraig Dwyer SC, defending McDermott, told the three judges that this was a “fresh charge” and his client had obviously entered an early guilty plea.
 
Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, said “for an abundance of caution” and incase the trial runs into the new term, he would fix a date for the final week of January.
 
Mr Justice Coffey, sitting, with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, remanded McDermott in custody until January 28, 2019, when he will be sentenced. 

Hugh Hartnett SC, defending Frank Murphy, told the court that his client was not in attendance in court today but he had been released from hospital. Mr Hartnett said a similar situation will arise in respect of his client on Monday.

Mr Murphy was taken from court in an ambulance yesterday (Thursday) morning after becoming unwell before the court sat. He was assessed by paramedics outside the courtroom and put on a stretcher before he was taken to the waiting ambulance.
Frank Murphy (58), of McDonough Caravan Park, Triton Road, Bettystown, Co Meath has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Butterly.
Mr Murphy has also pleaded not guilty to possession of a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with the intent to commit murder and possession of seven rounds of 9mm ammunition on the day of the killing itself.
 
The prosecution said the trial will go on against Kevin Braney but certain issues needed to be raised.
 
Bernard Condon SC, for Mr Braney, said he will be making an application for the court to discharge themselves as well as seeking an adjournment for the trial in light of what had happened this morning. 
 
Kevin Braney (43) with a last address at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, in Dublin has also pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Butterly.

Mr Braney also denies possession of a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol with intent to commit murder and possession of seven rounds of 9mm ammunition on March 5, 2013 at Blackthorn Apartments, Brackenwood Avenue, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

Paul O’Higgins SC, prosecuting, opened the trial, telling the judges that it was an unusual case because gardai were already keeping an eye on movements in the area that day as a result of certain suspicions. He said that Mr Butterly had driven into the carpark of the Huntsman Inn around 1.55pm. He had parked and remained in his car.

He said that a black Peugeot 206 then drove into the carpark and parked for a few minutes. It’s the State’s case that this car was being driven by Frank Murphy. It left shortly after 2pm and was followed by an unmarked garda car.

It was around this time that a stolen Toyota Corolla was driven into the carpark, he said.

“The car (Toyota) then stops in front of Mr Butterly’s car and two shots are fired, one through the windscreen and one through the bonnet,” said Mr O’Higgins. “Mr Butterly, who's on his own in the car, runs..., but he doesn’t get very far.”

Mr O’Higgins explained that two witnesses, who were waiting for their school buses, had stated that he was chased across the carpark and shot three times as he ran. The court heard that he fell and died almost immediately.
 
The trial continues.