The trial of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch has been postponed for at least a week in light of significant new evidence.
Gerry Hutch briefly appeared in court after lunchtime today as details of the adjournment were heard. Defence counsel requested the trial be delayed until at least next Monday in light of significant new evidence served last week. It's understood this evidence could change the shape of the defence strategy.
A ring of steel had been formed around the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin earlier as armed gardaí stood watch outside the building on Parkgate Street, Dublin. Inside, the sentencing hearing of former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall was before the Special Criminal Court where it was confirmed the ex-politician will give evidence in the trial of the Monk over the 2016 killing of David Byrne. Dowdall appeared this morning alongside his father, both of whom last week pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Byrne.
Read more: Jonathan Dowdall 'implicates others' in statement as he prepares to give evidence in Monk trial
It was heard Mr Dowdall has given a formal statement to gardai implicating "other persons" relating to the murder at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. The court heard that Dowdall is currently under garda protection, is currently being assessed for witness protection and will never live again in Ireland.
The father and son, 65 and 44 respectively, who both have an address of Navan road, Cabra, Dublin 7, admitted their part in the attack where they made a room at the hotel available for a criminal organisation or its members the night beforehand. This morning at the Special Criminal Court, Dowdall and his father entered the courtroom flanked by two plain clothes gardai. A number of other undercover officers were in the court room as every security measure was taken.
The court heard from Det Sgt Patrick O'Toole who said the Dowdall family is now in protective garda custody following the north inner city Dubliner giving a statement to gardai. An assessment is currently being carried out by investigators who believe the risk is "severe" to ex politician Dowdall and his family.
The court heard how Dowdall made himself available last November to speak to the gardai. At the time, he was in prison serving a separate sentence before that expired and he was released on bail in late April. Dowdall met with the gardai and his information was subsequently followed up and checked by investigators.
Det Sgt O'Toole, in the witness box, agreed with Dowdall's Senior Counsel Michael O'Higgins that the information was "sincere and genuine." The court heard that Dowdall has implicated "other persons." It was also heard that he is willing to give evidence as part of Hutch's murder trial, which is now due to start next Monday but may be delayed further as the defence re-evaluate their strategy.
Giving details of how Dowdall and his father Patrick's offence, prosecution counsel Sean Gillane told how room 2104 of the Regency Hotel was booked. It was done by using Patrick Dowdall's credit card. He later claimed to gardai that he cancelled the room but the court heard that CCTV showed him arriving on February 4, 2016, and being given two key cards and then directions to the room.
He went to the room for a short time before he met with Jonathan Dowdall. The key cards were given to a member of the Hutch criminal organisation.
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