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Key witness 'not really 100%' on gunman identification, Hutch murder trial hears

Summary

The Special Criminal Court is hearing the trial of Thomas McConnell, 37, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, 36, on May 24, 2016, at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1. Prosecution alleges McConnell and Jonathan Keogh planned the killing and used protected witness Mary McDonnell's apartment to surveil the victim. Defence counsel Pat McGrath SC challenged McDonnell's identification of McConnell, noting she told gardai she was "not really one hundred per cent" sure, describing her certainty as "half and half." She identified a second man in CCTV footage as the shooter based on his "square face" but did not know his name. The court is now examining the procedures used by gardai to obtain her statement. In a related November 2018 finding, the Special Criminal Court convicted Regina Keogh, Jonathan Keogh, and Thomas Fox of the murder. Fox was also convicted of unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9 mm handgun on May 23, 2016. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alex Owens, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge David McHugh.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Key witness 'not really 100%' on gunman identification, Hutch murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Gareth Hutch (36) on May 24, 2016, at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Convicted

When:

• May 24, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 23, 2016 Incident
• 2023-06-14 Publication

Why: She was able to recognise Jonathan Keogh because she knew him but told gardai she didn't know the other man's name. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report