Surveillance garda saw 'the Monk' leave Dowdall's home, trial hears

A National Surveillance Unit garda testified at the Special Criminal Court that he observed a man he identified as Gerard Hutch departing Jonathan Dowdall's residence on the Navan Road on 12 February 2016, approximately one week after the Regency Hotel shooting. The officer, testifying under a designated initial, stated he witnessed the individual departing on a black Honda motorcycle, dressed in dark motorcycle apparel with helmet visor raised. Mr Hutch, aged 59, of Clontarf, Dublin, denies murdering David Byrne during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel on 5 February 2016. The non-jury trial, being heard before Ms Justice Tara Burns, is examining evidence relating to activities in the aftermath of the fatal attack. Additional National Surveillance Unit witnesses provided testimony regarding observations of Dowdall's grey Toyota Land Cruiser in County Donegal on 20 February and 7 March 2016, with Mr Hutch present as a passenger during the latter occasion. The court previously heard CCTV evidence of journeys to Northern Ireland during this period, including footage from venues in County Armagh, Newry and Belfast. Prosecutors allege that during the 7 March journey, the accused discussed the Regency attack and made references to items allegedly provided to republicans, which the State contends relates to three AK-47 assault rifles used in the killing. A female garda also gave evidence that on 9 March 2016, she observed Shane Rowan, subsequently convicted of possessing the three assault rifles used in the Byrne killing, at Clarehall Shopping Centre. Separate surveillance testimony established that Hutch and Dowdall had met with Rowan at Forest Park in the Killygordon area of County Donegal on 20 February. Jonathan Dowdall, a former Sinn Féin councillor, has pleaded guilty to facilitating Byrne's murder and is testifying for the prosecution. Defence counsel have raised concerns regarding potential illegal use of tracking devices by gardaí during their investigation.