‘Gunman Stopped Firing After Pete Taylor Was Shot'

Murder trial witnesses tell of terror inside gun attack gym

- Alison O'riordan

TWO witnesses to the gun attack at Bray Boxing Club yesterday testified the gunman only stopped after trainer Muredre was hit.

The trial of Gerard Cervi, who is accused of murder and two counts of attempted murder, also heard the shooter seemed calm as he opened fire.

Cervi, 34, from the East Wall area of Dublin, denies murdering 50-year-old Bobby Messett at the gym in Co Wicklow, on June 5, 2018.

He also pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Mr Taylor and Ian Britton on the same occasion.

Alan Hunter told prosecutor Paul Murray yesterday that his back was facing the door when he heard the first bang. He thought at first that the noise had come from an air compressor.

When he turned to face the door, Mr Hunter said he saw “two arms” holding a gun coming through the doorway.

He “went down on his hunkers” after the first shot was fired and then heard more bangs coming from the gun.