Courts / Dublin / Report

'All systems go' for Monk's Regency murder trial

Date
2022-10-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, who is accused of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016, until next Tuesday at 11am. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that the trial is ready to proceed, noting that new evidence will be presented later in the proceedings. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, agreed to the new date after considering the availability of the three-judge panel. In related developments, Jonathan Dowdall (44) and his father Patrick Dowdall (65) have pleaded guilty to charges of facilitating the murder of Byrne. Jonathan Dowdall admitted to a lesser charge of facilitating the shooting, while Patrick Dowdall admitted to facilitating the murder and participating in criminal organisation activity by making a hotel room available. The State indicated it may enter a nolle prosequi against Jonathan Dowdall on the murder count. Co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, charged with facilitating the offence by providing vehicles, remain on trial. The court noted that if the trial extends past Christmas, arrangements may be made for early January.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'All systems go' for Monk's Regency murder trial. Charges or matters: a lesser charge of facilitating the shooting at the Special Criminal Court; facilitating the murder of David Byrne (34) last week; 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 Kinahan gang member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel on the Swords Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9, on February 5, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 4, 2016 Incident
February 5, 2016 Incident
February 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
September 29 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
September 14 Incident
August 12, 2021 Incident
April 2021 Incident
Christmas Other
2022-10-10 Publication

Case subjects

Jonathan Dowdall

Defendant

Charges: a lesser charge of facilitating the shooting at the Special Criminal Court; facilitating the murder of David Byrne (34) last week (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Patrick Dowdall

Defendant

Charges: facilitating the murder of David Byrne (34) last week; 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 Kinahan gang member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel on the Swords Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9, on February 5, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty