An IRA accused was seen with two men who played roles in the “meticulously-planned killing” of dissident republican Peter Butterly one day after the shooting, the Special Criminal Court was told today.

The three-judge court today heard evidence from a number of National Surveillance Unit (NSU) officers, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Mr Butterly (35) was shot dead shortly after 2pm on March 6, 2013 outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath. The father-of-three died from gun shots wounds to his neck and upper back.

Laurence Murphy (62), of McDonough Caravan Park, Triton Road, Bettystown, Co. Meath and ….read more

The trial of a man accused of conspiracy to murder has been adjourned until next Monday as the presiding judge’s father has passed away.

Liam Brannigan (37) from Bride Street, Dublin 8, is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017.

The accused has pleaded not guilty.

At the beginning of Mr Brannigan’s trial in the Special Criminal Court this morning, Mr Justice Paul Coffey informed the court that his father died last night.

Mr Justice Coffey said: “Sadly my father died last night and I’m not in a position to resume ….read more

(Pictured: Mr James Mansfield Jnr. Credit: Collins)

Businessman Jim Mansfield Jnr, who has been charged with conspiring to falsely imprison a man and with attempting to pervert the course of justice, is to apply for legal aid.

Mr Mansfield (52), of Tasaggart House, Garters Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, appeared before the Special Criminal Court last Tuesday when he was charged with conspiring to falsely imprison a man and with attempting to pervert the course of justice in respect of the alleged false imprisonment.

This morning, the Special Criminal Court heard Mr Mansfield intends to apply for legal aid and his case will be ….read more

Two cars allegedly used by a man accused of conspiring to murder were among five bugged with secret listening devices by gardai investigating the Kinahan cartel, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

Liam Brannigan (37) from Bride Street, Dublin 8, is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017.

The accused has pleaded not guilty.

Today Mr Brannigan’s trial heard evidence from the head of the National Surveillance Unit, Detective Superintendent William Johnson, about the deployment of listening devices on five vehicles – a Seat, a Volkswagen caddy, a Renault Laguna, ….read more

The trial of a man accused of a murder plot has today viewed CCTV footage recorded at the intended victim’s home, including clips of what the prosecution say was a “spotter car” surveilling the target.

Liam Brannigan (37) from Bride Street, Dublin 8, is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. The accused has pleaded not guilty.

Today the court was shown CCTV footage taken from the house of Mr Hanley. The court heard yesterday that Mr Hanley had four CCTV cameras installed at his home in 2017.

Separate ….read more

A senior garda who directed a team which harvested 3,500 hours worth of CCTV from premises across Dublin for an investigation into a murder plot has told a court that he did not consider the Data Protection Act nor the data protection of members of the public.

Detective Sergeant Declan O’Connell was giving evidence today at the trial of Liam Brannigan (37) from Bride Street, Dublin 8, in the Special Criminal Court.

Mr Brannigan is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017.

The accused has pleaded not guilty.

Today the non-jury ….read more

The widow of dissident republican Peter Butterly told gardai that a man on trial in connection with the “meticulously-planned killing” of her husband was a “good friend” to both of them, the Special Criminal Court heard today.

The deceased man’s wife also said that Mr Butterly had five death threats against him, including one from slain Real IRA leader Alan Ryan.

The non-jury court also heard that the father-of-three told his wife that he was meeting IRA accused Ray Kennedy in The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath at 2pm on March 6, 2013. In his opening address, the prosecution ….read more

An IRA accused told a garda that he was meeting his “friend”, dissident republican Peter Butterly, just minutes after arriving at the scene where the father-of-three was fatally shot, his trial has heard.

Ray Kennedy (39) and Laurence Murphy (62) are on trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court, charged in connection with the “meticulously planned killing” of Mr Butterly.

The three-judge court heard yesterday that Mr Kennedy arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, as there had been an arrangement for the two men to meet. Mr Kennedy, the trial heard, had been in contact with a phone belonging ….read more

A Detective has told a court how he found two tracking devices attached to a white Range Rover which belonged to the partner of a man who was the intended victim of a murder plot.

Detective Garda Ronan Doolan gave evidence this morning in the trial of Liam Brannigan (37) from Bride Street, Dublin 8.

Mr Brannigan is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley at a location within the State between September 15th and November 6th, 2017.

The accused has pleaded not guilty.

This morning Det Gda Doolan told the Special Criminal Court that on Sunday, September 17th, 2017, he and his colleague ….read more

(Pictured: Mr Jim Mansfield Jnr. Credit: Collins)

Businessman James Mansfield Jnr has been charged with conspiring to falsely imprison a man and with attempting to pervert the course of justice in respect of the alleged false imprisonment.

Mr Mansfield’s appearance in court follows his arrest by arrangement at lunchtime today. The court yesterday endorsed a warrant for his arrest after the State had earlier dropped charges which had previously been entered against Mr Mansfield.

Mr Mansfield (52), of Tasaggart House, Garters Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin, appeared before the Special Criminal Court this afternoon where a book of evidence was also served on him.

Mr ….read more