The Regency Hotel murder trial continues before the Special Criminal Court, with Gerard Hutch, Paul Murphy, and Jason Bonney pleading not guilty to the murder of David Byrne. Jonathan Dowdall, a State's witness who pleaded guilty to facilitating the offence by making a hotel room available, testified under cross-examination. He alleged he was "set up" and claimed Gerard Hutch pressured him after his release from Wheatfield Prison. Dowdall stated he contacted gardai in November 2021 to clear his name, asserting he was not involved in the killing. The defence contended Dowdall's testimony was motivated by a quid pro quo arrangement to drop his murder charge. Patrick Dowdall, Jonathan's father, was previously jailed for two years for the same facilitation offence. Jonathan Dowdall was sentenced to four years for facilitating the criminal organisation. A nolle prosequi was entered on his murder charge following his sentence. His Witness Protection Programme application remains pending, with a decision expected in January. The trial is ongoing, with the prosecution alleging Kevin Murray used the room and cooperated with the raiders.
In the ongoing appeal proceedings concerning the murder of David Byrne, ex-Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall, a State's witness who pleaded guilty to facilitating the killing, denied being a "master manipulator" during cross-examination. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC alleged Dowdall told "two big lies" regarding Gerard Hutch's alleged confession and the collection of hotel keys. Dowdall, who admitted to falsely imprisoning and threatening Alexander Hurley, stated he deeply regretted torturing Hurley. He clarified that his father, Patrick Dowdall, was sentenced to eight years for the same offences, later reduced to four years on appeal, while Jonathan was re-sentenced to seven years and 11 months. The court heard that Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to Byrne's murder by providing access to motor vehicles, remain defendants in the case. Dowdall denied involvement in moving AK-47s or bomb-making, describing such claims as lies or bravado. He asserted that the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan families stemmed from an alleged attempt by the Hutch brothers to steal money from Daniel Kinahan, not from the Kinahans initiating violence. The matter remains at the appeal stage, with no finalisation recorded.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence from Jonathan Dowdall, a State's witness in the trial of Gerard Hutch, who denies the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. Dowdall, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the offence by providing a hotel room, testified that neither the Kinahan family nor Hutch initiated the shooting. He stated he believed innocent people were targeted and that Hutch lied to him during a covertly recorded conversation regarding the identities of the assailants. The court examined audio recordings where Hutch allegedly referred to disposing of three AK-47 rifles to republicans in Northern Ireland. Dowdall also identified a reference to Buckingham Village, where a van used in the attack was allegedly stored. His father, Patrick Dowdall (65), was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for the same facilitation charge. Co-accused Paul Murphy (61) and Jason Bonney (50) have pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles. The trial continues before Justice Tara Burns and two other judges.
At the Regency trial, Jonathan Dowdall testified that Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch claimed he and another man, 'Mago' Gately, shot David Byrne during the 2016 incident at the Regency Hotel. Dowdall also stated that Hutch expressed regret over the killing. The trial involves the murder of David Byrne, who was killed during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. Patrick Dowdall (65) was previously jailed for two years before the trial started after admitting his role in booking the hotel room for the incident. Paul Murphy, Jason Bonney, Jonathan Dowdall, and Patrick Hutch Junior are currently on trial, with all pleading not guilty. The case is in the sentence stage, with no finalisation yet. The trial has heard evidence about the feud between the Hutch and Kinahan families, including the involvement of the New IRA and the discovery of assault rifles linked to the murder scene. The matter remains ongoing with no conclusion reached.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch until Monday, when Jonathan Dowdall will give evidence. Dowdall, a former co-accused who pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016, was sentenced to four years. He is currently a sentenced prisoner in the State. The court heard that Dowdall's Witness Protection Programme (WPP) assessment is ongoing, with a decision expected by mid-January. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC stated that Dowdall's WPP status is separate from his testimony and that no difficulties were created by Dowdall. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC expressed anxiety over the timetable but agreed to proceed on Monday, provided a Detective Superintendent testifies that Dowdall's WPP admission is distinct from his performance in the witness box. Hutch, who denies the murder, and co-defendants Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who also pleaded not guilty to facilitating the murder, remain in the trial. The court ruled Dowdall's evidence admissible despite defence objections. The matter was adjourned to allow Dowdall to take the stand on Monday.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, accused of the murder of David Byrne, has been adjourned until tomorrow for further information regarding Jonathan Dowdall's witness protection status. Presiding judge Ms Justice Tara Burns ruled that Dowdall's evidence is admissible, rejecting defence objections that his guilty plea to the lesser charge of facilitating the murder constituted an unfair incentive. Dowdall, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the Hutch gang in the 2016 Regency Hotel attack, was sentenced to four years in prison. The court noted that the prosecution had not yet confirmed whether Dowdall had been accepted into the Witness Protection Programme, a matter Ms Justice Burns described as "astonishing" given the ongoing trial. She directed the prosecution to resolve this issue promptly, expressing dissatisfaction with the delay. Meanwhile, co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who are alleged to have participated in or contributed to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles, have pleaded not guilty. The trial will resume tomorrow to address the witness protection query before Dowdall is expected to give evidence.
The trial of Gerard Hutch, Jonathan Dowdall, Paul Murphy, and Jason Bonney in relation to the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in February 2016 has reached the sentence stage. Jonathan Dowdall has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of Mr Byrne. Gerard Hutch has pleaded guilty to charges of Mr Byrne's murder and participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney have both pleaded not guilty to the charge of participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles on the same date. The matter is ongoing, with no finalisation of the cases for Murphy and Bonney. The court is currently considering the admissibility of evidence provided by Dowdall, who has turned State's witness and is expected to give evidence implicating Hutch in the murder. The trial is part of a voir dire to determine the admissibility of this evidence. The case is being heard by three judges, with the defence challenging the admissibility of Dowdall's evidence due to concerns over the circumstances surrounding the dropping of the murder charge against him and the potential quid pro quo arrangement with the DPP.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Jonathan Dowdall to four years' imprisonment for facilitating the murder of David Byrne. Dowdall pleaded guilty to this lesser offence, having previously been charged with the murder itself. The court report details cross-examination of Detective Sergeant Patrick O'Toole and Detective Garda Cathal Connolly regarding Dowdall's evidence. Defence counsel for co-accused Gerard Hutch argued that the decision to accept Dowdall's plea was a "quid pro quo" for his statement implicating Hutch. However, Detective Superintendent Joseph McLoughlin testified that the Director of Public Prosecutions made the decision to accept the plea in isolation from any potential statement. The defence contended that gardai had no evidence to support Dowdall's allegation that Hutch "effectively confessed" to the murder other than Dowdall's "say so." Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC stated the State's case was that Hutch contacted Dowdall days after the 2016 shooting and told him he was "one of the team" involved in the murder. Other defendants Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney pleaded not guilty. The matter regarding Dowdall was finalised with the sentence, while the trial for the other accused continued.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in a voir dire regarding the admissibility of statements made by former Sinn Fein Councillor Jonathan Dowdall. Dowdall, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the 2016 murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, is now a State's witness. He faces co-accused Gerard Hutch, who denies the murder, alongside defendants Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, both of whom have pleaded not guilty. Retired Detective Superintendent Paul Scott testified that Dowdall's solicitor proposed conditions for his cooperation, including immunity from prosecution, which An Garda Síochána did not accept. Detective Sergeant Patrick O'Toole, who interviewed Dowdall and his wife Patricia in May 2022, denied soft-pedalling evidence. He stated that Dowdall expressed fear for his family's safety and alleged threats from the Hutch and Kinahan groups. O'Toole confirmed no discussion occurred regarding dropping the murder charge. The court is currently determining whether Dowdall's unrecorded statements, taken without a caution, are admissible. The matter remains at the procedural stage of a trial within a trial to resolve evidentiary issues before the main proceedings continue.
The Special Criminal Court has ruled that ten hours of bugged conversations between murder accused Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch and ex-Sinn Fein Councillor Jonathan Dowdall, captured by a garda bugging device, are admissible in the trial, despite being gathered unlawfully while Dowdall's jeep was outside the State. The court found that the National Surveillance Unit (NSU) officers had no power to gather evidence in Northern Ireland and that the breach was of significance. However, the court was satisfied that the NSU officers acted in good faith and that the conversations should be admitted in the interests of justice. The ruling followed legal arguments by both sides, with the court rejecting the defence's challenge to the authorisation of the audio bugging device but accepting their argument that the operation of the surveillance device was illegal. The court also ruled that gardai have no power to investigate or gather evidence in another State. Jonathan Dowdall has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of David Byrne. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney have pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. Gerard Hutch has pleaded not guilty to charges of Mr Byrne's murder and participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. The matter was adjourned for further proceedings.
Stephen Penrose, 39, a former garda's son, is serving a life sentence for the murder of Philip Finnegan in 2016. While in Mountjoy Prison, he pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine for sale and supply. In a supervised visit, Penrose attempted to conceal a package containing a mobile phone, 49.2 g of diamorphine, and 113 zopiclone tablets. Prison officers intervened, and the package was seized. Penrose initially denied receiving the drugs but later admitted he was unaware of the package until the visit and that his partner had instructed him to hand it to another inmate. He has 34 prior convictions, including murder, manslaughter and drug possession. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a concurrent sentence of two and a half years to deter drug smuggling in prison.
The Special Criminal Court is hearing Gerard Hutch's murder trial, where the defence has challenged the admissibility of audio surveillance evidence. Senior counsel Brendan Grehan argued that Irish surveillance law does not apply extraterritorially, contending that the Oireachtas would have legislated with "irresistible clearness" if such scope were intended. The prosecution, represented by Sean Gillane SC, countered that the device was lawfully deployed and retrieved within the State, dismissing jurisdictional concerns as a "cloud." The court will rule on Friday regarding the admissibility of recordings captured when the vehicle crossed into Northern Ireland. In related proceedings, Jonathan Dowdall pleaded guilty to facilitating the Hutch gang by providing access to motor vehicles and a hotel room ahead of the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. Dowdall was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and is currently being assessed for the Witness Protection Program to testify against Hutch. Co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney have pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Grainne Malone.
Roy Sugaton, aged 19 and a former resident of Ferndale, Navan, was sentenced to three years in prison for raping a 15‑year‑old girl outside her home on 28 November 2019. He pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape. Sugaton was 16 at the time of the offence and had no prior convictions. The court, hearing at the Central Criminal Court, noted the predatory nature of the attack, the threat of recording a video, and the humiliation of ejaculating into the victim's mouth. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor set a headline sentence of four and a half years, suspended the final 18 months for two years on strict conditions, and imposed a five‑year post‑release supervision period. The sentence reflected his minor status, his guilty plea, and mitigating factors such as his lack of convictions and difficulties at school. The victim, now 18, expressed ongoing fear and anxiety following the assault.
The Special Criminal Court is considering the admissibility of evidence from a garda bugging device used to capture conversations between Jonathan Dowdall and Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, which were recorded on March 7, 2016. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC argued that once a surveillance device is placed and retrieved lawfully within the jurisdiction, the evidence is admissible regardless of where the vehicle travelled. He stated that the issue of extraterritoriality does not arise, as the device was deployed, initiated, and retrieved within the State. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC objected to the admissibility of the evidence, claiming that the device was used outside the jurisdiction and that the evidence was obtained unlawfully. The court has viewed CCTV footage showing Gerard Hutch making two journeys to Northern Ireland with Dowdall in the weeks following the murder of David Byrne. Jonathan Dowdall has pleaded guilty to facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of David Byrne and has been jailed for four years. Gerard Hutch has been convicted of Mr Byrne's murder and is awaiting sentencing. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney have pleaded not guilty and the matter is ongoing.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Jonathan Dowdall to four years' imprisonment for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of making a hotel room available ahead of the February 2016 attack. He is currently being assessed for the Witness Protection Program to testify against his former co-accused, Gerard Hutch. Hutch, along with Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, stands trial for the murder. Murphy and Bonney have pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles. The trial is currently at the procedural stage of addressing the admissibility of evidence. Defence counsel argued that a Garda bugging device recording conversations between Hutch and Dowdall was deployed under a "culture of secrecy" and in violation of the Criminal Justice Surveillance Act 2009, as the vehicle was allegedly in Northern Ireland for eight of the ten recorded hours. The prosecution maintains the recording is central to their case. The court will rule on the admissibility of this evidence after the prosecution responds to the defence submissions. The trial continues before a three-judge panel.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Jonathan Dowdall to four years in prison for facilitating the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. Dowdall pleaded guilty to charges related to the February 5, 2016, Regency Hotel shooting. The court heard evidence that Dowdall facilitated the Hutch gang in this notorious killing. While Dowdall's case has been finalized with a custodial sentence, the trial of co-accused Gerard Hutch remains ongoing. Hutch, who pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles, faces a non-jury trial. The court recently heard ten hours of audio recordings allegedly captured by a garda bugging device during a trip to Northern Ireland. The State's case relies on these conversations, where Hutch allegedly discussed the Kinahan cartel's ambition to become the biggest gang in Europe. However, the defense, led by Brendan Grehan SC, argues that the State acted illegally by using the device outside the jurisdiction, seeking to exclude the evidence as illicit fruit. The court is currently hearing legal arguments on the admissibility of this evidence in a voir dire proceeding. Other defendants, Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, also pleaded not guilty to similar charges of contributing to the murder by providing vehicle access. The matter regarding Hutch's admissibility challenge is not yet concluded, with the judges set to rule on the extraterritoriality issue.
At the Special Criminal Court, former Sinn Fein Councillor Jonathan Dowdall was jailed for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. Dowdall pleaded guilty to the charge of Mr Byrne's murder. Gerard Hutch, co-accused in the case, also pleaded guilty to Mr Byrne's murder and received the same sentence as Dowdall. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, both defendants, were charged with participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016, and pleaded not guilty to these charges. The trial has heard various conversations captured by a garda bugging device, including discussions between Dowdall and Hutch about a range of topics, including the death of Supreme Court judge Adrian Hardiman, journalist Paul Williams, and the use of AK-47 assault rifles in the murder of David Byrne. The matter is at the sentence stage, with no adjournments or suspended portions mentioned. No conditions or effective custody details were provided for the accused or defendants.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Jonathan Dowdall to four years' imprisonment for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of making a hotel room available ahead of the attack, which occurred during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. He is currently being assessed for the Witness Protection Program to testify against his co-accused. Meanwhile, the trial of Gerard Hutch, who pleaded not guilty to Mr Byrne's murder, continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns and two other judges. The court is hearing audio recordings of conversations between Hutch and Dowdall, which the prosecution alleges reference the use of AK-47 assault rifles. Hutch's defence argues that much of the evidence was gathered illicitly outside the State's jurisdiction. Co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, both charged with providing access to motor vehicles, have also pleaded not guilty. The trial will proceed with a voir dire to determine the admissibility of the disputed recordings.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Jonathan Dowdall to four years' imprisonment for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor, pleaded guilty to the charge. The court also heard evidence in the ongoing trial of co-accused Gerard Hutch, who pleaded not guilty to the same murder. The trial featured audio recordings of conversations between Hutch and Dowdall, allegedly captured while travelling to the North. In these recordings, Hutch stated that Daniel Kinahan looked "in a fuckin heap" following the Regency Hotel attack and claimed police were "going around like headless chickens." The prosecution presented these tapes as core evidence, while the defence argued for their exclusion, claiming the vehicle was outside the State's jurisdiction for most of the recording. Other defendants Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney also pleaded not guilty. The court proceedings focused on the admissibility of the bugged conversations, with the defence contending the evidence was illicit. The sentencing of Dowdall marks a significant development in the case, while the trial for Hutch and others continues.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding the recovery of tracker data from a vehicle driven by Jonathan Dowdall, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Byrne and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. Co-accused Gerard Hutch, who also pleaded guilty to the same charge, and defendants Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who pleaded not guilty, remain part of the ongoing proceedings. The court learned that Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau recovered a working copy of destroyed tracker records from a computer slated for disposal. Assistant Commissioner Orla McPartlin testified she would not have authorised the destruction had she known the data was required for the trial and has since initiated a review of retention policies. Retired Detective Inspector Ciaran Hoey, who authorised the destruction, stated he did not believe the records were pertinent to the prosecution. The defence, representing Hutch, argued that the destruction of evidence was a significant issue. Additionally, the court heard that tracker records confirm Dowdall's vehicle was in Northern Ireland for eight hours on March 7, 2016, during the period of audio recordings. The defence intends to argue for the exclusion of this evidence based on extraterritoriality. The matter was adjourned to allow the court to listen to the ten hours of recorded conversations and to continue cross-examination of witnesses.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Jonathan Dowdall to four years' imprisonment for facilitating the murder of David Byrne. Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of providing access to motor vehicles and a hotel room to the accused group on February 5, 2016. He is currently being assessed for the Witness Protection Program after agreeing to testify against co-accused Gerard Hutch. Hutch, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Byrne, remains on trial alongside Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, both of whom also pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to vehicles. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns and two other judges, was adjourned until 2pm this afternoon. Prosecutors informed the court that the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau had recovered destroyed tracker records from a desktop computer, which had been listed for destruction. Defense counsel for Hutch requested time to consider how to proceed following this development. The court heard that these records, related to a tracker device on Dowdall's vehicle, were previously believed to be permanently lost. The trial continues with the examination of evidence regarding the movements of the accused in the days surrounding the shooting at the Regency Hotel.
The Special Criminal Court has ruled to hear ten hours of audio recordings between murder accused Gerard Hutch and Jonathan Dowdall, despite defence arguments that the vehicle was outside State jurisdiction for eight hours. Prosecuting counsel Sean Gillane SC described the recordings as central to the State's case regarding the murder of David Byrne. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC argued the evidence should be excluded as 'illicit fruit' because gardai knew the vehicle was in Northern Ireland, violating the Criminal Justice Surveillance Act 2009. The court will rule on admissibility after listening to the full recording. Jonathan Dowdall, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the Hutch gang by providing a hotel room, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. He is currently being assessed for the Witness Protection Program to testify against Hutch. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who pleaded not guilty, remain defendants in the case. The court is currently at the sentencing stage for Dowdall, while the trial for Hutch continues with procedural rulings on evidence admissibility.
The High Court has appointed an interim examiner to Blacklough Construction Limited following an application on grounds of cash-flow insolvency. The company, which has 48 employees and engages subcontractors, is currently constructing over 360 social housing units across five sites for Respond Housing Association, including developments in Charlestown, County Mayo, and locations in Dublin, Meath, Westmeath and Louth. An independent expert's report indicated the company has reasonable prospects of survival if certain steps are taken. Counsel attributed the firm's difficulties primarily to a 33 per cent rise in building material costs since 2020, alongside a potential planning permission issue at the Carrickmines site in Dublin. Trade creditors are owed over €3 million. Chartered accountant Joe Walsh was appointed as interim examiner by Mr Justice Michael Quinn on Thursday. The court was satisfied that creditors would fare better under an examinership than in liquidation. Proceedings were adjourned to later in the month, with creditors to be notified of the application.
The Special Criminal Court heard that all records from a tracking device placed on former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall's vehicle by gardai were destroyed before the Regency Hotel murder trial began. The court was informed that the tracking device was deployed on Dowdall's Toyota Land Cruiser in February 2016 as part of the investigation into the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. The authorisation for the deployment of the tracker was granted by retired Detective Superintendent William Johnston on February 17, 2016, for a period of two months. However, the records of the tracker and logger devices were reportedly destroyed, raising concerns about the destruction of evidence. Jonathan Dowdall has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of David Byrne. Gerard Hutch, who is accused of the murder, has pleaded guilty and received the same sentence. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney have pleaded not guilty and the matter remains ongoing.
An appeal is ongoing in the Special Criminal Court regarding the case of Jonathan Dowdall, who was previously sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and Patrick Dowdall eight years imprisonment for physically and mentally torturing a man they suspected of trying to defraud them. The sentences were later appealed and reduced, with Jonathan Dowdall receiving 10 years imprisonment, 25 months of which were suspended, and Patrick Dowdall receiving seven years, three of which were suspended. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney are co-accused in the case, but they have not been charged and have pleaded not guilty. Gerard Hutch, who is also a co-accused, denies the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. The court heard that a search warrant was obtained for Jonathan Dowdall's home based on the belief that firearms and explosives were being stored there on behalf of the IRA. The matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded.
Gerard Hutch, 59, of Clontarf, Dublin 3, is standing trial in the Special Criminal Court, where he denies the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne on February 5, 2016. The defence team, led by Brendan Grehan SC, has raised significant concerns regarding the legality of state surveillance, specifically alleging that gardai may have illegally deployed a tracker device on a vehicle belonging to Jonathan Dowdall while it was in Northern Ireland. Mr Grehan argued that such use would breach the law and sought clarification on how specific CCTV enquiries were initiated. Prosecution witness Sean Gillane SC contended that the defence was conflating issues, while the presiding judge acknowledged the emerging legal arguments. Meanwhile, co-accused Jonathan Dowdall, 44, of Cabra, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty to facilitating the Hutch gang by providing access to motor vehicles. He was sentenced to four years in prison for this offence. Dowdall is currently being assessed for the Witness Protection Program to testify against Hutch. Other defendants, Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who also face charges of participating in the murder by providing vehicles, have pleaded not guilty and remain on trial. The court continues to hear evidence from National Surveillance Unit members, whose identities are withheld by order.
A surveillance garda testified in the Special Criminal Court that he saw Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, accused of the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne, riding a motorcycle out of former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall's home on February 12, 2016. Gerard Hutch (59), last of The Paddocks, Clontarf, Dublin 3, denies the murder of Mr Byrne (33) during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. Jonathan Dowdall (44), a married father of four with an address at Navan Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty in advance of the trial to a lesser charge of facilitating the Hutch gang by making a hotel room available ahead of the murder. Jonathan Dowdall has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the notorious murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne. The former Dublin councillor is currently being assessed for the Witness Protection Program after agreeing to testify against former co-accused Gerard Hutch, who is charged with Mr Byrne's murder. The Special Criminal Court has already viewed CCTV footage of what the State says is Gerard Hutch making two separate journeys to Northern Ireland with Dowdall on February 20 and March 7, 2016. A garda known as Member BZ testified that he observed Jonathan Dowdall's grey Toyota Land Cruiser parked opposite Forest Park in Killygordon in Co Donegal at 11am on February 20 2016 and that it was beside a silver Renault Megane Scenic. The Megane left the area at 2.35pm with two males in the vehicle. Another officer called Member BU told Ms Murphy that at 3.51pm on March 9 2016, Shane Rowan was observed carrying a long cardboard box as he walked down the escalator of Clarehall Shopping Centre before entering Carphone Warehouse. In July 2016, Rowan from Forest Park, Killygordan, in County Donegal was jailed for seven and a half years for possession of assault rifles and ammunition. He was also sentenced to a concurrent sentence of four years in prison for IRA membership, backdated to March 9 2016. Evidence has also been given that bullet cases found at the Regency Hotel murder scene were fired by the three AK-47 assault rifles. Gerard Hutch's two co-accused – Paul Murphy (59), of Cherry Avenue, Swords, Co Dublin and Jason Bonney (50), of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin 13 have pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. The evidence of the NSU members continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Tara Burns, presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone.
Gary Foy, 21, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm, driving without insurance and driving under the influence of cannabis after a scrambler collided with a stationary quad bike in a Dublin park on 17 September 2020. The collision left a two‑year‑old toddler with a traumatic brain injury. Foy, who had ridden scramblers for ten years, claimed he could not remember the incident. Judge Melanie Greally set a headline sentence of two years for the careless driving count and five months for each of the other two counts. She imposed a 16‑month prison sentence for the careless driving offence, suspended on strict conditions, and 180 hours of community service for the remaining counts. Foy was also disqualified from driving for five years and placed under probation supervision for 12 months. The court noted the child's serious injuries and Foy's remorse and steps to address his addiction.
The Special Criminal Court has viewed CCTV footage presented by the State, which allegedly shows Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch making two separate journeys to Northern Ireland with former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall shortly after the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel. The footage also shows Patrick Hutch Senior in the same area of north Dublin as convicted IRA member Shane Rowan a month after the attack. Rowan was stopped with three assault rifles used in the Regency Hotel shooting. Jonathan Dowdall has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the murder of David Byrne. Gerard Hutch has pleaded guilty to charges related to the murder of David Byrne, but the matter is still ongoing. County Donegal was jailed for seven and a half years for possession of assault rifles and ammunition and received a concurrent sentence of four years for IRA membership, backdated to March 9, 2016. The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Tara Burns, presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone.
A High Court challenge has been filed by engineer and architect Paul Leech against Meath County Council's plans to renovate the derelict St Patrick's Classical School in Navan. Leech argues that the council failed to conduct a second bat survey during the summer months, as required by the EU Habitats Directive, and therefore lacked the necessary information to determine whether the proposed works would comply with the directive. He also claims the council erred in law by not considering the impact on two nearby special areas of conservation. Leech, a former pupil of the school, seeks orders to quash the council's development consent and declarations that the council's assessment was unlawful. The case was adjourned by Mr Justice Charles Meenan to a December hearing. The court will consider whether the council's failure to obtain adequate bat survey data and assess environmental impacts constitutes a legal error. The proceedings are ongoing and no final decision has yet been made.
The Special Criminal Court heard the opening of the trial of Gerry Hutch, 59, Paul Murphy, 59, and Jason Bonney, 50, who were arraigned today. Hutch pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Kinahan gang member David Byrne, 33, during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin 9 on February 5, 2016. Murphy and Bonney also pleaded not guilty to charges of facilitating a serious offence by providing access to motor vehicles to a criminal organisation. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC alleged that Hutch told former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall he was "one of the team" responsible for the killing. The state contends the attack was "performative, targeted," and "macabre," involving men disguised as gardaí. Evidence includes a recorded conversation where Hutch discussed the incident and the Kinahan feud. While Patrick Dowdall and Jonathan Dowdall are not defendants in this specific trial, the report notes that both Dowdalls admitted to making a room available at the Regency Hotel on February 4, 2016, to facilitate the offence. The trial is underway before a non-jury court, with significant security presence at the Criminal Courts of Justice.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, who is accused of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016, until next Tuesday at 11am. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that the trial is ready to proceed, noting that new evidence will be presented later in the proceedings. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, agreed to the new date after considering the availability of the three-judge panel. In related developments, Jonathan Dowdall (44) and his father Patrick Dowdall (65) have pleaded guilty to charges of facilitating the murder of Byrne. Jonathan Dowdall admitted to a lesser charge of facilitating the shooting, while Patrick Dowdall admitted to facilitating the murder and participating in criminal organisation activity by making a hotel room available. The State indicated it may enter a nolle prosequi against Jonathan Dowdall on the murder count. Co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, charged with facilitating the offence by providing vehicles, remain on trial. The court noted that if the trial extends past Christmas, arrangements may be made for early January.
Patrick Dowdall (65) pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Byrne by booking room 2104 at the Regency Hotel using his credit card on February 4, 2016, and subsequently passing key cards to a known member of the Hutch criminal organisation. He and his family are in protective garda custody.
Jonathan Dowdall, 44, had his murder charge dismissed after indicating his willingness to become a state witness in the trial of Gerry Hutch and others related to the 2016 death of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, who is accused of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that the team was forced to carry out a 'fundamental reappraisal' of their strategy after being served with significant new evidence late last week. The court, presided over by Justice Tara Burns, granted a one-week adjournment, noting that the trial is unlikely to commence next Monday due to the court's full calendar. Mr. Hutch, who has been in custody since his extradition from Spain, was remanded until next Monday. He has not yet been arraigned. In related developments, the DPP indicated that a nolle prosequi could be entered against Jonathan Dowdall on the murder count, as he pleaded guilty last Wednesday to a lesser charge of facilitating the shooting. Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall, both pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder by making a room available at the hotel for a criminal organisation. Their sentencing was adjourned. Co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, charged with facilitating the offence by providing access to vehicles, were also due to stand trial but the matter was postponed to allow for further disclosure.
Former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall is being assessed for the Witness Protection Program after providing a statement to gardai that implicates others in the murder of David Byrne, who was shot dead at the Regency Hotel in 2016 as part of the Hutch/Kinahan gang feud. Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick Dowdall both pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Byrne by making a hotel room available for the Hutch gang ahead of the murder. They admitted to participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 for that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 4, 2016. The three-judge Special Criminal Court adjourned sentencing of Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick Dowdall after hearing submissions from their respective counsel. The court heard that room 2104 in the Regency Hotel was booked using Patrick Dowdall's credit card on February 4, 2016, one day before Mr Byrne's murder. CCTV footage showed Patrick Dowdall arriving at the hotel, receiving key cards, and later handing them over to a known member of the Hutch criminal organisation. The matter is currently in the appeal stage.
At the non-jury court, former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall (44) and his father, Patrick (65), both pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016. They admitted to charges including facilitating the murder of Mr Byrne by making a room available at the hotel on February 4, 2016, and participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation. Both are on bail. Patrick Hutch (58) of The Paddocks, Clontarf, Dublin 3, is charged with the murder of Mr Byrne and supplying logistical support to a six-man team suspected of carrying out the murder on February 15, 2016. He pleaded not guilty. Co-accused Paul Murphy (59) of Cabra Road is charged with supplying logistical support to the team and providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. Jason Bonney (50) of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin 13, is charged with providing access to motor vehicles on the same date. The matter is at the trial stage, with no sentences or findings yet determined.
In a unanimous Supreme Court ruling, the appeal by Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch and former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall to stop their trial for the Regency Hotel murder from proceeding before the Special Criminal Court (SCC) was dismissed. The Court, led by Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell, upheld the High Court's decision that the SCC remains lawfully in operation under the 1939 Offences Against the State Act and the 1972 Proclamation. The judges rejected arguments that the SCC had become an unlawful permanent court or that its existence required continuous review by the Dáil. They also found that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission could not act as amicus curiae in this case. The Court will later order costs. The trial of Hutch (58) and Dowdall (44) for the murder of David Byrne (33) on 5 February 2016 will therefore proceed before the SCC.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced three men for their roles in a romance fraud that caused a woman in her sixties to lose over €254,000 in life savings. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Omowale Owolabi (31) of Navan, Co Meath, to three years and three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft. Raak Sami Sadu (32) of Clonsilla, Dublin 15, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud. Samson Ajayi (33) of Grangerath, Co Meath, received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to three money laundering charges. The court heard the defendants used a fake profile named Neil Turner on Plenty of Fish to deceive the victim, who made ten payments between November 2019 and mid-2020. Gardaí linked the profile to the three Nigerian nationals and seized devices containing evidence of the scheme, including messages regarding the division of funds. Owolabi admitted receiving €30,000 for his role, while Ajayi admitted receiving money but claimed ignorance of wrongdoing. Sadu made limited admissions. The judge noted the defendants' early guilty pleas, cooperation, remorse, and lack of previous convictions as mitigating factors, while emphasizing the severe damage such fraud inflicts on victims who often feel humiliated.
A divorced couple received fully suspended sentences at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for money laundering nearly €180,000 stolen through an invoice redirect fraud targeting an education board. Zanab Ibrahim, aged 51, of Wolfe Tone Street in Cavan, and her ex-husband Francis Falaye, aged 54, of Lobinstown Apartment in Navan, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to the offence. The Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board was defrauded when an email purporting to come from a construction company redirected payment for school works in Tullamore to accounts controlled by the defendants. Ibrahim received €178,695 into her fashion boutique account, from which €50,000 was transferred to Falaye four days later. The fraud emerged when the genuine contractor advised non-receipt of payment. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a suspended two-and-a-half-year sentence on each defendant, conditional on keeping the peace. Falaye was ordered to pay €1,000 to the Peter McVerry Trust. Gardaí recovered all but €1,000 of the stolen funds.
The Special Criminal Court has ruled that Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch's application to dismiss the murder charge against him under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1967 cannot be heard in the non-jury court. The court determined that Section 4E is only applicable when an accused is sent forward for trial from the District Court, and as Mr Hutch was charged directly before the Special Criminal Court, the application is not available to him. The ruling followed submissions from defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC, who argued that the literal interpretation of the section would result in unequal treatment for Mr Hutch compared to those charged in the District Court. The court rejected the argument that the section should be interpreted in a purposive manner, stating that the literal meaning reflects the intention of the Oireachtas. The matter was adjourned until October 3, with all parties agreeing that there was nothing else to attend to before the trial date. Jonathan Dowdall, Patrick Dowdall, Paul Murphy, and Jason Bonney are also charged in relation to the murder of David Byrne, but their cases remain at the appeal stage with no finalisation yet.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 63‑year‑old man named Aidan Scanlon was found to possess five images of child pornography on his laptop. The illegal material was discovered after a Facebook "inappropriate image" alert was triggered when a user uploaded an image to the platform. Gardaí traced the email address linked to the Facebook account to Scanlon's home, obtained a warrant, and seized his laptop in August 2016. Scanlon admitted to possessing the images but denied knowingly holding them. He pleaded guilty in October 2016, was arrested in May 2019, and later pleaded guilty again before his trial. Judge Martin Nolan, sentencing him today, suspended in full a one‑year prison term, citing that Scanlon was "probably unlikely to reoffend." The judge also ordered him to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a year. The case highlighted the role of social media alerts in uncovering child‑abuse material.
The Supreme Court declined to hear Ben Gilroy and his wife Sarah Jane Gilroy's appeal against a possession order granted to Start Mortgages DAC for their Navan home. The Court found no point of general public importance had been raised. The Gilroys had argued that a fraud had occurred involving the lender and a solicitor, and that changes had been made to the mortgage documentation. The Circuit Court rejected these claims, finding them farfetched and unsupported, and the High Court confirmed the absence of evidence for fraud. The Gilroys sought a priority hearing and referral to EU courts, but the Supreme Court held that their due‑process rights had been fully addressed in lower courts and that it could not revisit the earlier findings. The application was dismissed by a panel of three judges, including Mr Justice Peter Charleton, Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe and Mr Justice Brian Murray.
Lawyers for Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, accused of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel, have argued that their client would face discrimination if prevented from applying to the Special Criminal Court to dismiss the charge against him under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1967. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that it would be an 'absurd interpretation' of the law to deny Mr Hutch the right to apply for dismissal simply because he was charged directly in the Special Criminal Court rather than the District Court. The matter was adjourned for a ruling on July 15. Mr Hutch, who is in custody, was present in court and was joined by his four co-accused, including Jonathan Dowdall, Patrick Dowdall, Paul Murphy, and Jason Bonney, who were also present. All five accused are due to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on October 3. The trial is expected to last 12 weeks. The case involves the murder of David Byrne, who was shot dead at the hotel in February 2016. Mr Hutch was extradited from Spain after his final appeal against extradition was rejected by a Spanish Appeals Court. The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on appeals by Mr Hutch and Jonathan Dowdall against the DPP's decision to try them before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
An appeal by former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall, aged 44, against the High Court's refusal to overturn the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to try him for the Regency Hotel murder at the Special Criminal Court, has been struck out by the Court of Appeal. Dowdall and Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, aged 58, are charged with the murder of David Byrne, 33, at the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, Dublin, on 5 February 2016. Both men had sought judicial review at the High Court, arguing that a non‑jury trial before the SCC would be unlawful and a breach of their fundamental rights, claiming the court was a permanent institution established on a temporary basis. Mr Justice Anthony Barr dismissed the actions, ruling that the legislation was not temporary and had no temporal limit. The Court of Appeal struck out Dowdall's appeal, following a decision by the Supreme Court to hear the Hutch and Dowdall appeals next Tuesday.
Megan Creighton, 34, pleaded guilty to robbery on Old Navan Road on 3 December 2020. The victim was approached by Creighton and her partner, who demanded money, phone and wallet. Creighton threatened to bite his nose, bit him, and then told her accomplice to use a knife. The accomplice struck the victim with a screwdriver, causing facial damage and neck marks. An off‑duty Garda intervened, leading to the muggers' arrest. The victim's injuries were documented and a victim impact statement was submitted but not read. Creighton, a mother of five with 17 prior convictions and a history of heroin addiction, claimed she was a victim of domestic violence. She expressed remorse and accepted responsibility. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to three years' imprisonment.
The Special Criminal Court has listed a Section 4E application for July 8 regarding Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, who is accused of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that Mr Hutch is seeking a pre-trial hearing and an application to dismiss the charge due to insufficient evidence. The court must first determine its jurisdiction under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967. Additionally, a preliminary trial hearing application under Section 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2021 is being pursued, with Jonathan Dowdall's counsel joining this application. Jonathan Dowdall is also accused of the murder of Mr Byrne. His father, Patrick Dowdall, is accused of facilitating the murder by making a hotel room available to a criminal organisation. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney are both accused of facilitating the commission of a serious offence by providing access to motor vehicles to the organisation. All five accused are due to stand trial on October 3, with the trial expected to last 12 weeks. The matter was adjourned to allow for these preliminary applications, and the court will rule on the jurisdiction issue shortly after the July 8 hearing. Information regarding the applications is subject to publication restrictions.
Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, 58, accused of murdering Kinahan gang member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016, has a bid to dismiss the charge adjourned to next week by the Special Criminal Court. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the three‑judge court that the application could proceed, but one judge was unavailable, so the hearing was postponed to Monday. The court must first decide whether it has jurisdiction under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967, which allows dismissal where evidence is insufficient. Hutch, who is in custody, was present for the brief hearing. Jonathan Dowdall (43) and Patrick Dowdall (64) are also charged with the Regency Hotel murder and are due to stand trial on 3 October. The trial, if it goes ahead, is expected to last 12 weeks. The matter was adjourned until 10.30 am Monday.
In a Dublin park, 21‑year‑old Gary Foy, riding a borrowed scrambler bike, collided with a stationary quad bike that a mother and her two‑year‑old baby were sitting on. The infant sustained serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, and was treated by a medical professional who described him as the most severely injured two‑year‑old he had treated who survived. Foy, who had been riding scramblers for ten years, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm, driving without insurance, and driving under the influence of cannabis. No vehicles were permitted in the park's green area. The court adjourned the case to October to prepare a probation report, noting the high risk of the activity and the public park setting. No victim impact statement was presented. The child has since been discharged but will need ongoing rehabilitative services. The case remains pending.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear appeals by Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch and Jonathan Dowdall aimed at preventing their trials before the Special Criminal Court from proceeding. Both men are charged with the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in 2016. In a related development, defence counsel for Mr Hutch asked the Special Criminal Court for permission to make an application under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967 to dismiss the charge due to alleged insufficient evidence. Ms Justice Tara Burns agreed to hear a preliminary application on June 15 to determine if the court has jurisdiction to hear this request. Mr Hutch, who is in custody, was not present for the brief hearing. A trial date has been fixed for October 3, 2022, when Mr Hutch is expected to go on trial alongside four other co-accused. Mr Dowdall, the third man charged in connection with the killing, is also scheduled to stand trial with three other co-accused on the same date. The shooting occurred during a boxing weigh-in when armed men, some disguised as gardaí, stormed the venue. Mr Hutch was extradited from Spain after his final appeal against extradition was rejected. Any evidence heard during the preliminary application cannot be published or broadcast.