Two men appeared at the Special Criminal Court on Monday for sentencing following their guilty pleas in connection with the March 2013 murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly. Frank Murphy, aged fifty-eight, of Bettystown in County Meath, pleaded guilty to obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of David Cullen regarding unlawful possession of a firearm. Michael McDermott, aged sixty, from Ballinagh in County Cavan, admitted to assisting an unlawful organisation in committing the murder. Evidence presented to the court outlined how Mr Butterly was shot dead outside a public house in Gormanston. The court heard that Cullen was recruited into the operation on March third, with McDermott's involvement confirmed through phone records and witness statements. Murphy's role reportedly involved arranging a collection from the scene that never occurred following garda intervention. Four other men have previously received life sentences for the murder. The three-judge panel remanded both defendants in custody and set sentencing for April first.
Pair to be sentenced for their roles in dissident republican murder
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Source: Courts News Ireland
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