Courts / Dublin / Report
Former SF councillor in Supreme Court bid over non-jury Regency Hotel murder trial
Summary
Jonathan Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor aged 44, and Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, aged 58, have each filed a two‑pronged appeal against the High Court's refusal to overturn the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to try them for the murder of David Byrne, 33, at the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, Dublin, on 5 February 2016. Both men are charged with Byrne's murder and are scheduled to stand trial before the Special Criminal Court, a non‑jury court. In separate judicial review proceedings, they argued that a trial before the SCC would be unlawful and a breach of their fundamental rights, claiming the court was a permanent institution despite being established on a temporary basis half a century ago. Judge Anthony Barr dismissed these challenges, ruling that the legislation was neither temporary nor limited in time. The appellants have now sought leave to appeal Judge Barr's decision directly to the Supreme Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former SF councillor in Supreme Court bid over non-jury Regency Hotel murder trial. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 1 Adjournment
- February 11 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-05-06 Publication
Why: Both had claimed in judicial review proceedings at the High Court that any trial before the SCC would be unlawful and in breach of their fundamental rights because the court was operating as permanent institution after being established on a temporary basis half a century ago. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Special Criminal Court
- Supreme Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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