Thomas Fox found unresponsive in Garda station cell, trial heard

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

The Special Criminal Court heard that Thomas Fox was found unresponsive in a cell at Mountjoy Garda Station while being detained on suspicion of murdering Gareth Hutch. The proceedings were reported on 2 July 2018.

Fox, Regina Keogh and Jonathan Keogh pleaded not guilty to murdering Hutch. Fox also denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9 mm handgun on 23 May 2016.

Hutch was shot dead as he was getting into his car outside Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street, Dublin, on 24 May 2016. The prosecution alleged that Fox and Regina Keogh were instrumental in planning the murder and that Jonathan Keogh and another man were the shooters.

The prosecution alleged that Fox was parked near Avondale House in a white Ford Transit on the morning of the shooting, but that the van was not required because plans changed. The court had previously heard that Fox told gardaí Jonathan Keogh had threatened him if he did not do as he was told and that a gun was pushed into his hand.

The court heard Fox had presented himself at Mountjoy Garda Station to clear his name. Detective Garda Declan O’Brien agreed under cross-examination that Fox was arrested there on suspicion of murder with a firearm at 7.01pm on 24 May 2016.

On 28 May, Sergeant John Reynolds found Fox lying face down and unresponsive in his station cell, with a ligature around his neck. An ambulance was called and Fox arrived at the Mater Hospital at 3.15pm. He was discharged later that day and returned to the station; his next interview began at 7.03pm, when he referred to the pressure he was under.

The trial continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Michael Walsh.