Courts / Dublin / Report

'Irrational, illogical and inconceivable' that decision to drop Dowdall murder charge wasn't 'quid pro quo' for statement, Hutch lawyers say

Date
2022-12-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Special Criminal Court sentenced Jonathan Dowdall to four years' imprisonment for facilitating the murder of David Byrne. Dowdall pleaded guilty to this lesser offence, having previously been charged with the murder itself. The court report details cross-examination of Detective Sergeant Patrick O'Toole and Detective Garda Cathal Connolly regarding Dowdall's evidence. Defence counsel for co-accused Gerard Hutch argued that the decision to accept Dowdall's plea was a "quid pro quo" for his statement implicating Hutch. However, Detective Superintendent Joseph McLoughlin testified that the Director of Public Prosecutions made the decision to accept the plea in isolation from any potential statement. The defence contended that gardai had no evidence to support Dowdall's allegation that Hutch "effectively confessed" to the murder other than Dowdall's "say so." Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC stated the State's case was that Hutch contacted Dowdall days after the 2016 shooting and told him he was "one of the team" involved in the murder. Other defendants Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney pleaded not guilty. The matter regarding Dowdall was finalised with the sentence, while the trial for the other accused continued.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Irrational, illogical and inconceivable' that decision to drop Dowdall murder charge wasn't 'quid pro quo' for statement, Hutch lawyers say. Charges or matters: Mr Byrne's murder. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 7, 2016 Other
February 4, 2016 Other
May 18 2022 Other
July 4 2022 Other
August 1 Other
August 2 2022 Other
September 2 Hearing Or Sentence
September 12 Hearing Or Sentence
September 15 Other
September 16 Hearing Or Sentence
September 23 Hearing Or Sentence
February 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-12-06 Publication

Case subjects

Gerard Hutch

Co Accused

Charges: Mr Byrne's murder (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Dowdall has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the notorious murder of Mr Byrne.

Jason Bonney

Defendant

Plea: Not guilty

Jonathan Dowdall

Accused

Charges: Mr Byrne's murder (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Dowdall has already been sentenced by the non-jury court for the lesser offence of facilitating the murder. Dowdall has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for facilitating the Hutch gang in the notorious murder of Mr Byrne.

Paul Murphy

Defendant

Plea: Not guilty