Three face charges over killing of Real IRA member

Three men face charges this evening in relation to the killing of a Real IRA member in Gormanston, Co Meath, earlier this week.

A second man being questioned about the matter has been released from custody. This man, in his early 40s, was released this afternoon and a file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Peter Butterly (35), a father of three from Cortown, Togher, Dunleer, Co Louth, was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston at about 2.30p m on March 6th while under surveillance by armed gardaí.

The three men were to appear at a special sitting of the Special Criminal Court.

After Wednesday’s killing the assailants had fled the scene in a car which was intercepted by gardaí on the Balscadden Road a short time later.

Four men were arrested. A handgun was recovered and the car was seized. A fifth man was arrested near the scene a short time later.