Patrick Hutch murder trial adjourned at Special Criminal Court

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Patrick Hutch’s murder trial was adjourned at the Special Criminal Court on 19 February 2018 until Thursday. The proceedings were reported on 19 February 2018.

Hutch has pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne at Dublin’s Regency Hotel on 5 February 2016. He also denies possessing three AK47 assault rifles in connection with the shooting.

The prosecution’s case was that Hutch was a man dressed as a woman who took part in the raid. It said he did not shoot Byrne but was part of a “shared intention” to commit the offence.

Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had disclosed material that required further consideration. He said the defence would seek an outright adjournment and submit that certain matters needed investigation. Prosecuting counsel Sean Gillane SC said the material had presented “unprecedented conundrums”.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt presided, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Ann Ryan. He said matters were proceeding in the background and the court would not enquire into matters taking place outside the courtroom.