Ireland Case No. 7441Murder · Co. Wicklow · 5 Jun 2018
Trial opens over shooting at Bray Boxing Club, Co Wicklow
On 5 June 2018 a gunman fired nine shots during an exercise class at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow, and Robert 'Bobby' Messett, a man, was shot in the head and died. Ian Britton was shot and survived, and boxing coach Pete Taylor was also targeted. Gerard Cervi (36), a man from East Wall, Dublin, was charged with Mr Messett's murder and the attempted murders of Mr Britton and Mr Taylor, and he was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. On 4 October 2023 the trial opened before Judge Karen O'Connor and the State began presenting its case, which it says relies on fingerprint, DNA and CCTV evidence, with the trial expected to run for six to seven weeks.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court4 Oct
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A gunman entered Bray Boxing Club at 6.50am and went to the door of an exercise class led by Pete Taylor.
- Robert 'Bobby' Messett, a man, was shot in the head and died instantly at the scene.
- Ian Britton, a man, was shot but survived.
- Where
- The shooting happened at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow.
- When
- The shooting happened on 5 June 2018.
- Weapon
- The gunman fired nine shots in total.
- Investigation
- The State says fingerprint and DNA evidence taken from a van allegedly used by the gunman is linked to Gerard Cervi.
- The State says fingerprints allegedly belonging to Gerard Cervi were found on bottles in the van.
- The State says CCTV shows Gerard Cervi's movements and the van before the shooting and will present this footage at trial.
- Charges
- Gerard Cervi, a man aged 36 from East Wall, Dublin, was charged with the murder of Robert Messett and the attempted murders of Ian Britton and Pete Taylor.
- In court
- Gerard Cervi was arraigned twice before the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- The trial opened before Judge Karen O'Connor and a reconstituted jury of six men and six women at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on 4 October 2023.
- The trial is expected to run for six to seven weeks.
- Other details
- The State says its case is circumstantial.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA gunman entered Bray Boxing Club at 6.50am. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe gunman fired a number of shots, nine in all. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRobert Messett was shot in the head and died at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIan Britton was shot but survived. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatA gunman came up the stairs and stood in the doorway during an exercise class led by Pete Taylor. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRobert ‘Bobby’ Messett was shot in the head and died instantly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereBray Boxing Club is in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe shooting happened at Bray Boxing Club in Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder charge concerns events on 5 June 2018 at Bray Boxing Club. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe shooting happened on June 5, 2018. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe gunman fired nine shots. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationFingerprint and DNA evidence from a van allegedly used by the gunman is linked to Cervi. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe State says CCTV shows Cervi's movements and the van before the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFingerprints allegedly belonging to Gerard Cervi were found on bottles in a van alleged to have been used in the crime. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution says it will present CCTV footage, DNA and fingerprint evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeGerard Cervi was charged with the murder of Robert Messett. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGerard Cervi was charged with the attempted murders of Ian Britton and Pete Taylor. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeGerard Cervi pleaded not guilty to murdering Robert ‘Bobby’ Messett and the attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtGerard Cervi was arraigned twice before the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtGerard Cervi pleaded not guilty to the murder and attempted murder charges. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is expected to run for six to seven weeks. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury is a reconstituted panel of six men and six women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCervi appeared before Judge Karen O’Connor and a jury of six men and six women at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is expected to last six to seven weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe State says its case is circumstantial. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Oct2023Murder trial hears how gunman fired nine shots during Pete Taylor exercise class
Reports the opening of the Central Criminal Court trial, the not guilty plea, the prosecution's outline of the case and the expected length of the trial.
accused, Gerard Cervi, 36, male, namedGerard Cervivictim, Robert 'Bobby' Messett, maleRobert 'Bobby' Messettvictim, Pete Taylor, malePete Taylorvictim, Ian Britton, maleIan Britton - 4 Oct2023Fingerprint and DNA evidence links East Wall man to Bray Boxing Club shooting, court hears
Reports the arraignment and not-guilty pleas of Gerard Cervi, the opening of the State's case, and the evidence it relies on (fingerprints, DNA, CCTV). Describes a 2018 shooting, not a 2023 event.
accused, Gerard Cervi, 36, male, namedGerard Cervivictim, Robert “Bobby” Messett, male, irish (judged from name)Robert “Bobby” Messettvictim, Ian Britton, male, irish (judged from name)Ian Brittonvictim, Pete Taylor, male, irish (judged from name)Pete Taylor