Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch is due to go on trial today for the murder of David Byrne, who was shot dead at a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in 2016.
The trial was due to get underway a few weeks ago but was adjourned in light of developments in the case of former Sinn Féin councillor, Jonathan Dowdall.
Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch has been awaiting trial for over a year now.
During that time, he has unsuccessfully challenged the jurisdiction of the non-jury Special Criminal Court to hear his case.
He is accused of murdering David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in 2016.
Up until recently, former SF councillor, Jonathan Dowdall, was due to stand trial with him, but his plea to the lesser charge of facilitating the murder by booking a room at the hotel was accepted by the DPP and he was jailed for 4 years yesterday.
He has indicated his willingness to give evidence on behalf of the prosecution. .
Two other men are due to stand trial this morning for related charges.
Meanwhile it’s been reported former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick will receive specially cooked meals in prison, to avoid poison attempts.
Yesterday, the pair were sentenced to four and and two years respectively for facilitating the murder of David Byrne in the Regency Hotel in 2016.
The Irish Independent reports Mr Dowdell will also be isolated in prison, to prevent contact with other criminals as he waits to give evidence in the trial of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, which begins today.
