Gardaí seek privacy screen for surveillance operatives in murder trial

The Special Criminal Court has heard there was a tracking device on a car believed to be used in a drive-by shooting in Co Meath.

Three Dublin men are on trial for the murder of Peter Butterly who was gunned down outside a pub in March of last year.

Just before 2pm on March 6, 2013, a Toyota Corolla pulled into the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath.

Peter Butterly died after shots were fired into his car from the back window.

Three men: Dean Evans of Grange Park Rise, Raheny, Edward McGrath from Springfield in Tallaght and Sharif Kelly of Pinewood Green Rd. Balbriggan stand accused of carrying out the hit.

All three deny the charge.

Lawyers for the state have revealed that a tracking device was placed on the car believed to be used in the shooting in the lead up to Mr. Butterly's murder.

Nine officers from the Garda National Surveillance Unit are due to give evidence but the court has been asked to put up a screen to protect their identities.

From the stand, a senior Garda explained that to reveal their faces could jeopardise future operations and put their lives in danger.

Even their families don't know what they do, he said.

A decision on whether to erect the screen will be made later today.