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Witness statement was "explosive", garda tells Hutch murder trial

Summary

The Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh for the alleged murder of Gareth Hutch continues. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Mr Hutch, who was shot dead outside Avondale House flats in Dublin on May 24, 2016. Fox has additionally denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9 mm handgun. The prosecution alleges the killing was premeditated, with Mr Keogh threatening the victim the previous evening, while Fox and Keogh are accused of planning the crime. Mr Keogh and an accomplice are alleged to have been the shooters. Detective Sergeant Enda O'Sullivan testified regarding a protected witness, Mary McDonnell, whose statement he described as "explosive" and "unbelievable." He stated that gardaí became immediately concerned for the safety of McDonnell and her twin daughters after she provided the statement in her flat. O'Sullivan explained that McDonnell was not treated as a suspect at the time, despite CCTV footage showing suspects entering her apartment. He noted that no notes were taken during a preliminary conversation before the formal statement was recorded. The defence cross-examined the witness on procedural matters, including the decision not to arrest McDonnell. The trial is ongoing and has not been finalised.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness statement was "explosive", garda tells Hutch murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Hutch. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 24, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 23, 2016 Incident
• May 25 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-06-19 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report