A DUBLIN MAN accused of IRA membership has been further charged with the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly.
The 35-year-old father-of-two was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath on 6 March, 2013.
Following his arrest by gardaí investigating the activities of dissident republicans, Kevin Braney (43) was brought before an out-of-term sitting of the Special Criminal Court last month.
The Dublin man, with a last address at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on 2 August, 2017.
This morning, Detective Sergeant Liam Archbold told State Solicitor Rioghnach Corbett that he had met the accused man in the confines of the court.
He said he informed Kevin Braney that he was to be brought before the next sitting of the Special Criminal Court and charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on 6 March, 2013.
He is also charged with the possession of a 9mm calibre Beretta model 9000s semi-automatic pistol and the possession of seven rounds of 9mm ammunition with the intent to commit murder on 5 March, 2013 at Blackthorn Apartments, Brackenwood Avenue, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.
Detective Sergeant Archbold said he also told Kevin Braney that, in lieu of being charged before the District Court, the DPP had directed that he be brought before the Special Criminal Court and charged with the murder of Peter Butterly on 6 March 2013 at The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston in Co Meath.
He said that, in response to being cautioned, he replied:
This is a politically-motivated charge, I am being framed by [a] State-paid supergrass. I demand to be brought before a court and demand a fair trial by jury.
Wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, Kevin Braney refused to stand as the charges were read to him by the court registrar.
The State Solicitor told the court that with respect to the charge of murder, the DPP sought trial before the non-jury Special Criminal Court, having certified that “the ordinary courts are inadequate for effective administration of justice”.
There were no objections to an application for legal aid by Counsel for Braney, Mr Niall Nolan BL. Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded him in custody to appear before the court again on Thursday next.
As he was being led away by prison officers, shouts of “End supergrass trials” by the accused were met loudly by reciprocating shouts from the public benches.
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