Courts / Dublin / Report

'The Hutch gang cannot be equated with Gerard Hutch': the Regency Hotel trial in full

Date
2023-04-17

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Court of Appeal has issued a ruling in the case of Patrick Dowdall, the appellant in the Regency Hotel shooting trial. Dowdall had previously pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of facilitating the shooting of David Byrne. The specific allegation was that he participated in activity intending to facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation, namely the murder of Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel in Drumcondra, Dublin 9, on February 4, 2016. Following his initial conviction, Dowdall was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. However, after successful appeals, he was re-sentenced to seven years and 11 months. The current appeal resulted in a further reduction, with Dowdall now sentenced to four years' imprisonment. The procedural stage is an appeal, and the matter has been finalised with this revised sentence. Co-accused Jason Bonney was also involved in the proceedings, though specific details of his plea or sentence are not detailed in this summary. The court emphasized that the allegations against Dowdall were based on his admission of guilt to facilitating the crime, rather than direct participation in the shooting itself. The decision reflects the appellate court's review of the sentencing and charges, resulting in a reduced term of custody for the appellant.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'The Hutch gang cannot be equated with Gerard Hutch': the Regency Hotel trial in full. Charges or matters: the lesser charge of facilitating the shooting; 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:

February 12, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
February 20 Incident
March 7 Incident
March 8 Other
March 9 Incident
July 2016 Incident
January 2015 Other
June 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
January 15, 2015 Other
May 17, 2016 Incident
May 20 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
October 3, 2022 Incident
February 4, 2016 Incident
February 17, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
January 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
January 18, 2016 Other
February 11, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
November 21st Hearing Or Sentence
March 7, 2016 Incident
October 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
May 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
September 2, 2022 Incident
February 8, 2016 Incident
February 7 Other
February 8 Other
February 4 Other
Monday February 8, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
Sunday February 7 Hearing Or Sentence
Monday February 8 Hearing Or Sentence
Sunday February 7, 2016 Other
February 5 Incident
February 2016 Other
February 8 2016 Incident
May 30, 2016 Incident
February 5, 2016 Incident
February 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
January 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
February 5 2016 Other
2023-04-17 Publication

Why: "I stood back because I was in fear of my life. CNI source report

Case subjects

Jason Bonney

Co Accused

Patrick Dowdall

Appellant

Charges: the lesser charge of facilitating the shooting; 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: Patrick Dowdall was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Dowdall was later re-sentenced to 7 years and 11 months and Patrick Dowdall to four years imprisonment after successful appeals.