A senior garda has told the Regency trial of his knowledge about the existence of the “Hutch criminal organisation”.
Detective Superintendent David Gallagher of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, said in his opinion the group is made up of “close family members” and came together and “galvanised” after the emergence of a feud with the Kinahan cartel in 2015.
Gerry Hutch, 59, from The Paddocks, Clontarf, denies a charge of murdering Kinahan cartel associate David Byrne, 34, in Dublin’s Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016. Yesterday marked the 15th day of the non-jury trial, which is expected to last up to 12 weeks.
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Also before the court are Paul Murphy, 61, of Cherry Avenue, Swords, and 51-year-old Jason Bonney, of Drumnigh Wood Portmarnock.
They have both pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to activity that could facilitate the commission of a serious offence – namely the murder of David Byrne – by a criminal organisation by providing access to individual motor vehicles on February 5, 2016.
All three men are on trial before Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judges Sarah Berkeley and Grainne Malone. The court heard Det Supt Gallagher was giving evidence that is only set to be considered in the case against Mr Bonney and Mr Murphy and cannot be taken into consideration by the judges in relation to the charge against Mr Hutch.
Earlier defence counsel Brendan Grehan for Hutch indicated his objections to the manner in which the evidence might be heard, and how it might “damage” his client’s reputation in the future, even if he is found innocent.
Mr Grehan said he was concerned the evidence if stated “in this forum, in public, that it allows it to be repeated ad nauseam,” and that it is “for all time” on the public record “as an opinion expressed before a court which damages Mr Hutch”.
However Ms Justice Burns ruled the evidence could be heard, and the court was told the statement of the senior garda was quite general in nature, and did not name any of the defendants.
Read more: Gerry Hutch brings packed lunch of protein bars to court everyday
Giving evidence before the court, Det Supt Gallagher outlined his experience of 28 years investigating organised crime groups in Ireland and abroad impacting on Ireland.
He said his entire career to date was “in the arena” of drug investigations, serious crime investigations and investigating national and international organised crime groups.
As a result of his combined investigative experience, he said he had acquired a “significant insight and understanding” and knowledge around organised crime and drug trafficking. Outlining his understanding of the group concerned, the Det Supt named the “Hutch criminal organisation” before the court.
He said in relation to that organisation, he would describe it as being made-up of “intergenerational” family bonds and was based predominantly in Dublin city centre.
The Hutch criminal organisation is made up, he said, of “close family members,” and is “less hierarchical” than some other criminal organisations.
It operates on what he called a “patriarchal system” and it was based off “loyalty” and “monetary gain”.
He said historically the Hutch criminal organisation was “quite a fluid organisation” that had participants, associates and affiliates working together to commit certain crimes.
But, he added, it often consisted of those individuals operating independently at times, and working with other criminal organisations.
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