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'Man in charge' Hutch carried out 'brutal and callous execution' and should be convicted of murder, prosecution say

Date
2023-01-25
Stage
Appeal
Court
Special Criminal Court
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

The appeal stage of the case involving Gerard Hutch, Paul Murphy, and Jason Bonney, who are accused of participating in or contributing to the murder of David Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016, is ongoing. All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Patrick Dowdall, who was previously convicted of facilitating the murder by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, has admitted guilt and was later re-sentenced to 7 years and 11 months and four years imprisonment after successful appeals. The prosecution has presented evidence, including secretly recorded conversations between Gerard Hutch and Jonathan Dowdall, which allegedly show Hutch's central involvement in the Regency Hotel attack. The trial has heard that three AK-47 assault rifles were found in the boot of a car following an intervention by gardai. The case has been adjourned and is not yet concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Man in charge' Hutch carried out 'brutal and callous execution' and should be convicted of murder, prosecution say. Charges or matters: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 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 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. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Gerard Hutch

Defendant

Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Jason Bonney

Accused

Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Patrick Dowdall

Appellant

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 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 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Dowdall was later re-sentenced to 7 years and 11 months and Patrick Dowdall to four years imprisonment after successful appeals. Dowdall – who previously served as an elected Sinn Fein councillor in the north inner city ward in May 2014 and resigned less than one year later – was jailed by the Special Criminal Court for four years for the facilitation offence.

Paul Murphy

Accused

Charges: participating in or contributing to the murder of Mr Byrne by providing access to motor vehicles on February 5, 2016 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Special Criminal Court
  • The Special Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Richmond Road
  • Champions Avenue
  • Buckingham Street
  • Donaghmede Drive
  • The Wall Road
Secondary Mention
Incident
Journey Or Route
  • Charlemont Estate

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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