Man ‘impeded’ homicide investigation

The trial of a man charged with impeding a homicide investigation has heard the killer’s partner and children sought refuge in a neighbour’s house shortly before the killing as they were in fear of the killer.

The 54-year-old man on trial for impeding claims he was under duress when he helped move the body and clean up the scene. The killer is not currently on trial.

The Central Criminal Court has heard Audrius Butkus, 44, was ‘battered to death’ in a house in Louth before his body was dumped at a nearby beach. Aivars Sondors is charged with three counts of assisting an offender on September 9 or 10, 2013 by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Marius Gaizutis, knowing or believing him to have unlawfully killed Mr Butkus.