Courts / Dublin / Report

Former SF councillor and father plead guilty to roles in Regency murder

Date
2022-09-28

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

At the non-jury court, former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall (44) and his father, Patrick (65), both pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016. They admitted to charges including facilitating the murder of Mr Byrne by making a room available at the hotel on February 4, 2016, and participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation. Both are on bail. Patrick Hutch (58) of The Paddocks, Clontarf, Dublin 3, is charged with the murder of Mr Byrne and supplying logistical support to a six-man team suspected of carrying out the murder on February 15, 2016. He pleaded not guilty. Co-accused Paul Murphy (59) of Cabra Road is charged with supplying logistical support to the team and providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. Jason Bonney (50) of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin 13, is charged with providing access to motor vehicles on the same date. The matter is at the trial stage, with no sentences or findings yet determined.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former SF councillor and father plead guilty to roles in Regency murder. Charges or matters: facilitating the murder of Mr Byrne at the hotel; participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 for that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 4, 2016; the murder of Mr Byrne; supplying logistical support to a six-man team suspected of carrying out the murder on February 15, 2016; participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal org

When:

Monday, October 3, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
February 4, 2016 Incident
September 29 Hearing Or Sentence
September 14 Incident
August 12 Incident
February 15, 2016 Incident
February 5, 2016 Incident
2022-09-28 Publication

Case subjects

Co-accused Paul Murphy

Co Accused

Charges: supplying logistical support to a six-man team suspected of carrying out the murder on February 15, 2016; participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to individual motor vehicles to that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Jason Bonney

Accused

Charges: participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to individual motor vehicles to that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Jonathan Dowdall

Accused

Charges: facilitating the murder of Mr Byrne at the hotel; participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 for that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 4, 2016; the murder of Mr Byrne; supplying logistical support to a six-man team suspected of carrying out the murder on February 15, 2016; participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to individual motor vehicles to that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 5, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Patrick Hutch

Accused

Charges: the murder of Mr Byrne; supplying logistical support to a six-man team suspected of carrying out the murder on February 15, 2016; participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to individual motor vehicles to that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty