Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7037Murder · Co. Wicklow · 5 Jun 2018

Gerard Cervi found guilty of murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett at Bray Boxing Club

On June 5, 2018, a gunman opened fire at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow, during an early-morning training session, killing Robert 'Bobby' Messett, a 50-year-old man and father of three, and injuring Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. Gerard Cervi, a 36-year-old man, was charged with murder and the attempted murders of Taylor and Britton, and pleaded not guilty to all three. On November 24, 2023, after two trials over two years, the Central Criminal Court jury found Cervi guilty of murdering Messett and acquitted him of the attempted murders, and he was remanded in custody until sentencing, which is set for December 1, 2023, when a mandatory life sentence will be imposed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Nov
  5. Convicted24 Nov
    2 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A gunman opened fire at Bray Boxing Club during an early-morning training session attended by a group of people.
  • Robert 'Bobby' Messett, a 50-year-old man and father of three, died at the scene.
  • Pete Taylor and Ian Britton were injured in the shooting.
Where
  • The shooting happened at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow.
  • Cervi is from the East Wall area of Dublin 3.
When
The shooting happened on June 5, 2018.
Weapon
The gunman fired nine shots into a crowded gym.
Cause
Messett died from a single gunshot wound to the head, and the prosecution did not establish a motive.
Investigation
The prosecution relied on CCTV footage showing Cervi travelling from his home to the club and back that morning, and on his DNA and fingerprints in a Volkswagen Caddy van it alleges was used by the gunman.
Charges
Cervi pleaded not guilty to murdering Messett and to the attempted murders of Taylor and Britton.
In court
  • Cervi denied being the gunman, and the defence said there was no motive and no evidence identifying him.
  • On November 24, 2023, the jury took seven hours and 59 minutes over three days to reach a unanimous guilty verdict on the murder count and acquitted Cervi of the attempted murders.
Sentence
Cervi was remanded in custody until sentencing, which is set for December 1, 2023, when a mandatory life sentence will be imposed.
Other details
  • Cervi has no previous convictions and had been in custody for more than five years since his arrest.
  • The case was tried in two trials lasting a combined 17 weeks over two years.
37 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA group of people had gathered at the boxing club in the early hours for a training session when a gunman appeared and opened fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatRobert 'Bobby' Messett died at the scene, and Pete Taylor and Ian Britton were injured. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGerard Cervi was found guilty of murdering a father of three in a shooting at Bray Boxing Club. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA gunman appeared at the door and opened fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr Messett died from a single gunshot wound to the head. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPete Taylor and Ian Britton were injured in the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGerard Cervi was found guilty of murdering a father of three. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe shooting happened at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting happened at Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereCervi is from the East Wall area in Dublin 3. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe shooting happened on June 5th, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenA group had assembled at the boxing club in the early hours for a training session. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe shooting happened on June 5, 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution did not establish a motive for the crime. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMessett died from a single gunshot wound to the head. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe gunman fired nine shots into a crowded gym. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponA gunman fired nine shots into a crowded gym. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution says CCTV footage shows Gerard Cervi travelling from his home to the boxing club and back on the morning of the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe prosecution relies on the presence of Gerard Cervi's DNA and fingerprints in a Volkswagen Caddy van it alleges was used by the gunman. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationProsecutors relied on CCTV evidence and Cervi's DNA and fingerprints found in a Volkswagen Caddy van. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationProsecution relied on CCTV evidence, along with Cervi's DNA and fingerprints found in a Volkswagen Caddy van. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGerard Cervi has pleaded not guilty to murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGerard Cervi has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGerard Cervi is on trial at the Central Criminal Court and denies he was the gunman. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe prosecution submitted that the CCTV evidence was sufficient to convict. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe defence says Gerard Cervi had no motive for the attack and that there is no evidence identifying him as the gunman. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury began deliberations and was asked to return to court the next day to resume. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCervi was acquitted of attempting to murder Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury took seven hours and 59 minutes over three days to reach a unanimous verdict on the first count. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCervi was remanded in custody until sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceA sentence hearing is set for December 1st, when the judge will impose a mandatory life sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceSentencing is set for December 1, when the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment will be handed down. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCervi has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCervi has been in custody for more than five years since his arrest. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe jury unanimously accepted the prosecution's case on the murder charge after seven hours and 59 minutes. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCervi had been in custody for over five years since his arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe case was tried in two trials lasting a combined 17 weeks over two years. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Nov2023
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gerard Cervi found guilty of murdering dad-of-three in Bray Boxing Club shooting

    Verdict report: Cervi convicted of murder, acquitted of two attempted murder counts, remanded in custody, sentencing set for December 1, 2023. Mandatory sentence is life imprisonment.

    convicted, Gerard Cervi, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Gerard Cervivictim, Robert 'Bobby' Messett, 50, maleRobert 'Bobby' Messettvictim, Pete Taylor, malePete Taylorvictim, Ian Britton, maleIan Britton
  2. 24 Nov2023
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Gerard Cervi found guilty of murdering Bobby Messett at Bray Boxing Club

    Jury verdict: Cervi convicted of murder and acquitted of attempted murder of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. Mandatory life sentence to be imposed on 1 December.

    convicted, Gerard Cervi, 36, male, namedGerard Cervivictim, Robert “Bobby” Messett, 50, maleRobert “Bobby” Messettvictim, Pete Taylor, malePete Taylorvictim, Ian Britton, maleIan Britton
  3. 22 Nov2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Jury to continue deliberations tomorrow in trial of man accused of murder at Pete Taylor gym

    Reports that the jury began deliberations on 22 November 2023 and will resume the next day, and summarises the closing speeches of the prosecution and defence.

    accused, Gerard Cervi, 36, male, namedGerard Cervivictim, Robert 'Bobby' Messett, maleRobert 'Bobby' Messettvictim, Pete Taylor, malePete Taylorvictim, Ian Britton, maleIan Britton