Court archive
Court reports mentioning Strabane, Tyrone
2025-03-06 · Donegal
Alan Vial and Nikita Burns were convicted of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. The court found that the pair killed 66-year-old Robert Wilkin and disposed of his body by throwing it off Sliabh Liag, Ireland's tallest cliffs. Following their convictions, Vial and Burns face the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. The prosecution alleged that the defendants struck Wilkin with a rock, stole his cash and personal items, and fabricated a story claiming he had sexually assaulted Burns. Vial testified in his own defence, alleging Wilkin attacked him first, but the jury rejected his account. The State Pathologist testified that the blows to Wilkin's head would not have caused instant death, contradicting Vial's claims. The court noted Vial's history of offending and his attempts to destroy evidence, including washing blood from his hands at Teelin Pier. The matter was finalised with the mandatory life sentences imposed on both defendants.
2024-01-24 · Tyrone
A 75-year-old milk collection haulier from Castlederg, County Tyrone, has received a fully suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for failing to remit over €160,000 in VAT to the Revenue Commissioners between 2012 and 2015. James Wauchope pleaded guilty to six sample counts of the offence. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a headline sentence of five years but suspended it in full for three and a half years, citing extenuating circumstances. The court heard that Wauchope suffers severe post-traumatic stress disorder following an incident in which he was locked in one of his trucks with a bomb by the IRA, and that he endured the death of a son who required round-the-clock care following a 1986 road accident. The judge stated that life had inflicted sufficient punishment on the defendant. Wauchope was ordered to repay €65,000 to Revenue within one year, in addition to €60,000 already repaid. He has no previous convictions.
2023-04-17 · Dublin
The Court of Appeal has issued a ruling in the case of Patrick Dowdall, the appellant in the Regency Hotel shooting trial. Dowdall had previously pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of facilitating the shooting of David Byrne. The specific allegation was that he participated in activity intending to facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation, namely the murder of Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel in Drumcondra, Dublin 9, on February 4, 2016. Following his initial conviction, Dowdall was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. However, after successful appeals, he was re-sentenced to seven years and 11 months. The current appeal resulted in a further reduction, with Dowdall now sentenced to four years' imprisonment. The procedural stage is an appeal, and the matter has been finalised with this revised sentence. Co-accused Jason Bonney was also involved in the proceedings, though specific details of his plea or sentence are not detailed in this summary. The court emphasized that the allegations against Dowdall were based on his admission of guilt to facilitating the crime, rather than direct participation in the shooting itself. The decision reflects the appellate court's review of the sentencing and charges, resulting in a reduced term of custody for the appellant.
2023-01-25 · Dublin
The appeal stage of the case involving Gerard Hutch, Paul Murphy, and Jason Bonney, who are accused of participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016, is ongoing. All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Patrick Dowdall, who was previously convicted of facilitating the murder by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, has admitted guilt and was later re-sentenced to 7 years and 11 months and four years imprisonment after successful appeals. The prosecution has presented evidence, including secretly recorded conversations between Gerard Hutch and Jonathan Dowdall, which allegedly show Hutch's central involvement in the Regency Hotel attack. The trial has heard that three AK-47 assault rifles were found in the boot of a car following an intervention by gardai. The case has been adjourned and is not yet concluded.
2023-01-19 · Dublin
The Special Criminal Court trial of Gerard Hutch, Paul Murphy, and Jason Bonney, all accused of participating in the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in February 2016, continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges including providing access to motor vehicles and facilitating the offence. Today, defence counsel for Mr Bonney stated it is their case that his father, not Mr Bonney, drove the BMW X5 alleged to have been used in the attack. Prosecution evidence from Garda Michele Purcell and Senior Intelligence Analyst Sarah Skedd detailed vehicle movements, including a Toyota Avensis taxi driven by Mr Murphy and the BMW X5, which allegedly transported a man in a flat cap from the scene. The court also heard evidence regarding Jonathan Dowdall, a former co-accused who turned State's witness. Mr Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor, previously pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder by making a hotel room available and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. His father, Patrick Dowdall, also pleaded guilty to the same facilitation charge and was jailed for two years. The trial will continue tomorrow with further evidence from Ms Skedd.
2023-01-13 · Dublin
The Special Criminal Court heard that Jonathan Dowdall, a former co-accused of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch who has turned State's witness, asked a garda 'is there any way out' and 'if him and his family could get into the Witness Protection Programme' in the days following his arrest. The status of Dowdall's Witness Protection Programme (WPP) application remains unknown, with a decision expected in the middle of this month. Gerard Hutch (59), of The Paddocks, Clontarf, Dublin 3, denies the murder of David Byrne (33) during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. His co-accused, Paul Murphy (61), of Cherry Avenue, Swords, Co Dublin, and Jason Bonney (52), of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin 13, have pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. The court also heard that Patrick Dowdall was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in June 2017 and later re-sentenced to 7 years and 11 months after successful appeals, following his guilty plea to falsely imprisoning Mr Hurley and threatening to kill him at Jonathan's family home on January 15, 2015. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
2022-12-21 · Dublin
The Special Criminal Court heard the final day of cross-examination of Jonathan Dowdall, a State's witness in the trial of Gerard Hutch, who is accused of the murder of David Byrne. Dowdall, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder by providing a room at the Regency Hotel, denied allegations that he is a manipulator or liar. The defence challenged his testimony regarding alleged meetings with Hutch, playing audio recordings and phone data that contradicted his timeline. The court refused to allow the defence to play a video of Dowdall waterboarding Alexander Hurley, noting that Dowdall had already pleaded guilty to that offence and was re-sentenced to seven years and 11 months imprisonment following a successful appeal. His father, Patrick Dowdall, who also pleaded guilty to the same offence, was re-sentenced to four years imprisonment after his appeal. The trial continues with Hutch, who denies the murder charge, and co-defendants Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in the murder by providing access to vehicles. The matter remains ongoing, with no finalisation or adjournment recorded in this report.
2022-12-21 · Dublin
Gerard Hutch, 59, of Clontarf, Dublin 3, pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne, who was shot dead at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. He also faces charges of facilitating the murder by making a hotel room available on February 4, 2016, and providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. Jonathan Dowdall, 44, of Cabra, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder by making the room available. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for this offence, and a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder charge. Patrick Dowdall, 65, also pleaded guilty to the same facilitation charge and was jailed for two years before the trial began. Paul Murphy, 61, of Swords, Co Dublin, and Jason Bonney, 50, of Portmarnock, Dublin 13, pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. The trial is ongoing, with cross-examination of the State's witness, Jonathan Dowdall, continuing before the Special Criminal Court.
2022-12-20 · Dublin
The Special Criminal Court heard cross-examination of State's witness Jonathan Dowdall in the trial of Gerard Hutch, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne. Dowdall, a former Dublin city councillor, denied using bomb timers as a bargaining tool to mediate the Hutch-Kinahan feud. He described references to bombing a house in Finglas or killing individuals as "nonsense" and "hypothetical stuff," insisting none of it happened. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC accused Dowdall of telling an "opportunistic lie" regarding his interpretation of audio recordings. The State alleges Hutch asked Dowdall to arrange a meeting with republican contacts to resolve the feud. While Dowdall testified that Hutch admitted to shooting Byrne with "Mago" Gately, the defence contends this was a lie. The court viewed CCTV of alleged trips to Northern Ireland. In a separate procedural development, a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder charge against Dowdall following his sentence on October 3. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who pleaded not guilty to participating in the murder by providing access to motor vehicles, remain defendants in the case.
2022-12-13 · Dublin
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.
2022-12-13 · Dublin
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.
2022-12-12 · Dublin
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.
2022-12-07 · Dublin
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.
2022-12-06 · Dublin
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.
2022-12-02 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-24 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-23 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-23 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-22 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-17 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-15 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-14 · Meath
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.
2022-11-02 · Dublin
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.
2022-11-01 · Dublin
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.
2022-10-26 · Dublin
The Special Criminal Court is set to rule tomorrow on whether 27 National Surveillance Unit officers can give evidence anonymously in the trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, who is accused of the murder of David Byrne. Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC argued that anonymity is necessary to protect covert operations and officer safety, citing concerns raised by Detective Superintendent Eugene Lynch. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC objected, asserting the court lacks jurisdiction to grant such a blanket order and warning that it would place a 'cloak of secrecy' over the proceedings, potentially infringing on the right to a public trial. The court will decide if the names of the officers, including six who have retired, should be withheld from the defence and public. Hutch, 59, of Clontarf, denies the murder of Byrne, 33, who was shot dead at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. His co-accused, Jason Bonney, 50, of Portmarnock, and Paul Murphy, 59, of Swords, have also pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles. The presiding judge, Ms Justice Tara Burns, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Grainne Malone, will deliver the decision on the anonymity application tomorrow afternoon.
2022-10-25 · Dublin
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.
2022-10-18 · Dublin
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.
2021-07-21 · Donegal
A man from Raphoe in County Donegal has had his prison sentence doubled by the Court of Appeal following two attacks on his neighbour's home and an assault that left her with a broken jaw. Leon Kelly was originally sentenced to two-and-a-half years, with twelve months suspended, by Letterkenny Circuit Court in November 2020 for assault causing harm and criminal damage. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed on grounds of undue leniency. The court heard that Kelly rammed his vehicle into his neighbour's car and home on 13 April 2019, causing €13,000 in damage and breaking the woman's jaw. He subsequently fled across the River Finn into Northern Ireland but was apprehended by the PSNI and returned. Eight days later, he attacked the same property again with his Volkswagen Passat. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy increased the sentence to three years imprisonment, finding the original term did not reflect the gravity and violence of the offences. Leon Kelly pleaded guilty.
2021-07-12 · Donegal
The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed an 18-month custodial sentence imposed on a Donegal man, arguing it was unduly lenient. Leon Kelly, aged 34, pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and criminal damage following incidents in April 2019 at Beechwood Grove, Lifford. The victim sustained a broken jaw and lost a tooth during an unprovoked assault. Kelly twice rammed his vehicle into the victim's car and home in what the court heard stemmed from a dispute over money. Following the first incident, Kelly fled and attempted to cross the River Finn into Northern Ireland, where he was apprehended by the PSNI. He rammed the home again eight days later. The DPP contends the original sentence failed to reflect the gravity of the offences, citing Kelly's use of a vehicle as a weapon while under the influence of alcohol as an aggravating factor. The Court of Appeal, comprising Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, reserved judgment.
2020-11-02 · Dublin
The Special Criminal Court sentenced David Hunter to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin. Presiding Judge Alexander Owens, sitting with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh, backdated the sentence to April 2019, when Hunter was arrested in the UK on a European Arrest Warrant. Hunter, a 42-year-old Liverpool native, had pleaded not guilty but was found guilty based on compelling evidence, including DNA from a ski-mask recovered from the getaway car that matched his profile. The court rejected his defence that he was in Dublin for a concert and that the mask was lost during a prior car-stealing trip. Hunter is the second individual convicted for this Kinahan Cartel-linked killing; Eamon Cumberton was convicted in January 2018. During sentencing, Detective Garda Colm Kelly noted Hunter's 15 previous convictions. Prosecution counsel Mr Barr argued Hunter should serve his full sentence in Ireland to avoid transfer to Liverpool. Detective Superintendent Colm Murphy described the murder as cold and callous, confirming the investigation remains ongoing to bring all involved to justice. Victim impact statements from Barr's sister Noeleen and former partner Jade O'Shea highlighted the lasting trauma on Barr's five children and family.
2018-01-18 · Dublin
During the Regency Hotel shooting trial, the court heard that about 500 Gardaí viewed a photo of a man dressed as a woman holding a gun outside the hotel on the day of the fatal shooting. Two detectives, Fergal O'Flaherty and Jonathan Brady, identified the man as Patrick Hutch, 25, who is pleading not guilty to the murder of David Byrne, 34, and to possession of three AK‑47 rifles. The prosecution alleges Hutch was the woman in the photo and part of a shared intention to commit the offence, though he did not fire the gun. The defence objects to the identification evidence, noting that 498 Gardaí did not recognise Hutch and that no records were kept of whether they knew him. The hearing continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Patricia Ryan and Ann Ryan presiding.
2017-10-23 · Donegal
The Charleton tribunal heard evidence on October 23rd regarding threats made against Garda Keith Harrison's life in October 2013. Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn of Donegal division outlined how two anonymous 999 calls on 4th and 5th October reported threats against Garda Harrison. The first call described an overheard conversation in a Strabane bar, and the second indicated the threat originated from a relation of Martin McDermott, who was imprisoned following a manslaughter conviction. McDermott was the brother of Garda Harrison's partner. The threats were assessed as substantial, leading to security measures and restrictions on Garda Harrison's movements. A mobile phone subsequently located in Portlaoise Prison resulted in McDermott's release date being postponed. The tribunal also examined contacts between gardaí and HSE/Tusla regarding Garda Harrison. Superintendent Eugene McGovern, stationed in Buncrana, confirmed attending meetings with Tusla management but stated that individual cases were not discussed at such forums. A referral concerning Garda Harrison's partner and her children resulted in no further action pending additional information.
2016-12-21 · Donegal
A man convicted of murder in connection with a fatal shooting in County Donegal has had his conviction upheld by the Court of Appeal. Martin Kelly, aged 42, from Strabane, County Tyrone, was found guilty of the murder of Andrew Burns at Donnyloop, Castlefin on 12 February 2008. The non-jury Special Criminal Court imposed a mandatory life sentence in January 2012. Mr Burns was shot twice in the back in a church car park by a gunman associated with a dissident republican organisation. Kelly's legal team argued he had agreed only to facilitate a punishment shooting, unaware the incident was planned as a deliberate execution. Mr Justice George Birmingham rejected this argument, finding Kelly guilty of murder based on his intention to cause serious harm, even without proof of intent to kill. The court noted that Irish law has long established that intention to cause serious injury resulting in death constitutes murder. The judgment acknowledged the appeal raised novel legal questions of clear importance. An application to the Supreme Court is being considered. Martin Kelly pleaded not guilty.
2015-12-01 · Donegal
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgement in the case of a man convicted of murder in connection with a dissident republican shooting in Donegal. Martin Kelly, aged 41, from Strabane, County Tyrone, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of the murder of Andrew Burns at Donnyloop, Castlefin on 12 February 2008, and received a mandatory life sentence in January 2012. Mr Burns was shot twice in the back in a church car park. Kelly's appeal centres on the legal doctrine of joint enterprise. His counsel argued that while Kelly agreed to drive Mr Burns to the location for a planned kneecapping, he was unaware the actual intention was a deliberate execution. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel contended that Kelly knowingly delivered Mr Burns to be shot and must have foreseen the grave risk of death. The court noted that UK authorities are examining murder convictions based on joint enterprise doctrine, and indicated this may inform its consideration. Martin Kelly pleaded not guilty.
2015-11-30 · Donegal
A man serving a life sentence for his role in a dissident republican murder in Donegal in 2008 has lodged an appeal against conviction at the Court of Appeal. Martin Kelly, aged 41, from Strabane in County Tyrone, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court in January 2012 of the murder of Andrew Burns, who was shot dead in a church car park at Donnyloop, Castlefin, on 12 February 2008. Kelly had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The three-judge court also convicted him of unlawful possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, imposing a mandatory life sentence for murder and eight years for the firearms offence. Kelly's barrister submitted that statements made during gardaí interviews should be ruled inadmissible, arguing they were not voluntarily given and that fair procedures were breached. Counsel also contended that the trial court should have considered whether the actions taken departed fundamentally from what was planned in the alleged joint enterprise.