Courts / Dublin / Report
Dowdall denies using 'bomb timers' as bargaining tool with dissidents
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard cross-examination of State's witness Jonathan Dowdall in the trial of Gerard Hutch, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne. Dowdall, a former Dublin city councillor, denied using bomb timers as a bargaining tool to mediate the Hutch-Kinahan feud. He described references to bombing a house in Finglas or killing individuals as "nonsense" and "hypothetical stuff," insisting none of it happened. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC accused Dowdall of telling an "opportunistic lie" regarding his interpretation of audio recordings. The State alleges Hutch asked Dowdall to arrange a meeting with republican contacts to resolve the feud. While Dowdall testified that Hutch admitted to shooting Byrne with "Mago" Gately, the defence contends this was a lie. The court viewed CCTV of alleged trips to Northern Ireland. In a separate procedural development, a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder charge against Dowdall following his sentence on October 3. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who pleaded not guilty to participating in the murder by providing access to motor vehicles, remain defendants in the case.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dowdall denies using 'bomb timers' as bargaining tool with dissidents. Charges or matters: participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- Monday, March 7 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 20 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 7, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 5, 2016 Incident
- February 8 2016 Incident
- February 4 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 7 Incident
- March 9 Other
- February 12 Incident
- February 4 Incident
- April 27 2021 Incident
- October 3 Incident
- February 5 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 2015 Incident
- 2022-12-20 Publication
Why: Asked about his reason for not handing over the electrical circuits to the republicans, which he agreed were bomb timers, Dowdall said it was because they did not exist. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Following Dowdall's sentence on October 3, a nolle prosequi – a decision not to proceed – was entered on the murder charge against the former Dublin city councillor.
Defendant
Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Special Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Crumlin
- Cherry Avenue
- Swords
- Portmarnock
- Richmond Road
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request