Courts / Dublin / Report
Photographer feared for his life when gunmen started shooting at Regency Hotel
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, 59, who denies the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. Co-accused Paul Murphy, 59, and Jason Bonney, 50, also pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in or contributing to the murder by providing access to motor vehicles. Witness Colin O'Riordan testified that he feared for his life when gunmen dressed as Emergency Response Unit members walked past him. He reported hearing approximately 12 shots and seeing individuals with weapons. Another witness, Ernie Leslie, described seeing a machine gun in a van. James McGettigan, the hotel director, stated masked individuals entered the bar aggressively. Retired Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis confirmed Byrne died from six high-velocity gunshots. CCTV footage showed the shooting and the suspects' escape. Patrick Dowdall, 65, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the gang by making a hotel room available, was sentenced to two years imprisonment. The trial continues with further evidence expected.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Photographer feared for his life when gunmen started shooting at Regency Hotel. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 5 2016 Other
- February 5 Other
- February 2016 Other
- February 4 Other
- 2022-10-19 Publication
Why: "I remained where I was because the third individual behind the van didn't know I was there and I thought it was wiser to stay where I was than spook him for fear he might shoot me," he said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Cherry Avenue
- Swords
- Portmarnock
- Crumlin
- Swords Road
- Charlemont Lane
Topics
Related court reports
- Stardust survivor left 'aghast' at government redress scheme
- Bulgarian national stole €11k from heavily pregnant woman just one week after arrival in Ireland
- 'Far from peripheral' - Regency getaway drivers fail to have sentences reduced
- Hapless robber dropped phone, cash at raid scenes
- Regency getaway drivers say prison sentences were too high
- Dealer who told mother he'd get 'junkies' to rape her son over drug debt gets 10 years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request