Courts / Dublin / Report
Key Hutch witness not in protection programme, trial hears
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard that State witness Mary McDonnell is not in the Witness Protection Programme, despite an estimated €40,000 spent since March 2017 on her safe accommodation. A family liaison officer testified that McDonnell declined the programme because a family member did not wish to change their name. She is currently managed at a local district level, with costs initially covered by An Garda Síochana and later by the North Central Division local fund. Prosecution counsel Paul Burns SC stated that the State alleges Regina Keogh and Jonathan Keogh encouraged McDonnell to allow Thomas Fox to use her flat as a base to wait for Gareth Hutch prior to his shooting on May 24, 2016. McDonnell, who has been granted immunity from prosecution, is willingly giving evidence. The three accused—Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh—have all pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Hutch. Fox has additionally denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9mm handgun. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Key Hutch witness not in protection programme, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Hutch. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- March 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 24, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 23, 2016 Incident
- May 26, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 26 Other
- May 25 Incident
- May 8 Incident
- 2018-06-11 Publication
Why: A family liaison officer also gave evidence that this State witness did not wish to join the Witness Protection Programme because a family member did not want to change their name. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: murdering Mr Hutch (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Avondale House
- North Cumberland Street
- Dublin
- Cumberland Street
- Gloucester Place
- in the Bridewell Garda Station
Topics
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