Trial opens of two men charged in connection with murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly

Peter Butterly, a 35-year-old father of three, was shot dead on March 6, 2013 outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath. He died from gun shots wounds to his neck and upper back.

Two men have gone on trial at the non-jury Special Criminal Court, charged in connection with the “meticulously planned killing” of dissident republican Peter Butterly.

The court heard today that accused man Ray Kennedy (36) 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 to the deceased's man's wife as Mr Butterly did not use a phone himself.