A photographer has told how he was in fear for his life when he came face-to-face with two gunmen outside the Regency Hotel.
Day two of the Special Criminal Court trial of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch got underway this morning - with former Irish Independent photographer Colin O’Riordan taking the stand.
Hutch (59), who is accused of the murder of David Byrne in the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016, sat again dressed in a navy blazer and a blue shirt.
Read More : Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch trial LIVE updates from day 2 of murder case
Appearing before Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judges Sarah Berkeley and Grainne Malone, Prosecuting Counsel Sean Gillane SC formally called upon Mr O’Riordan to give evidence.
Mr O’Riordan told the court that he had been asked by his employer to attend a boxing weigh-in event at the Regency Hotel with Irish Independent reporter Robin Schiller on February 5, 2016.
He did not bring his camera equipment and instead intended to take discreet photographs of persons of interest with his iPhone.
Mr O’Riordan told the court that he met with Mr Schiller and the pair made their way inside the hotel and into the weigh-in event that was taking place.
The photographer said he was “discreetly” taking pictures when he was told by Mr Schiller that he had “spotted Daniel Kinahan.”
Mr O’Riordan stated that he went outside to the steps of the Regency when they then heard “a bang.”
“Robin said to me: that’s a gunshot,” Mr O’Riordan told the court.
The photographer said he then noticed a silver van outside.
He heard a bang and “almost immediately two individuals dressed as gardai in ERU style appeared up the steps carrying AK-47s.”
He said initially the armed men “had the advantage of complete utter surprise and confusion” as they were dressed as gardai.
But he said as they entered the building, the thought occurred to him that “gardai do not use AK-47s.”
Mr O’Riordan told the court that he then took pictures of the men going into the hotel with his iPhone.
The court was later shown a booklet of these images.
Mr O’Riordan also told the court about the presence of a third gunman dressed in tactical gear and also armed with an AK-47 rifle - who he noticed was on the far side of the silver van.
That gunman fired a shot and was shouting at another man on the other side of the road telling him to “get the f*ck out of here,” Mr O’Riordan said.
He then told the court that he next heard gunshots coming from inside the hotel - in the foyer area.
He was able to see one of the gunmen standing on the reception desk with a gun and he was pointing at a man on the floor.
The man with the gun turned on the desk and jumped back down into the foyer area.
Mr O’Riordan said he then heard more shots, screams, shouts and moments later “two individuals exited the door.”
The two gunmen came out the doors right in front of him, and he said: “I stood back because knowing what had gone on inside, I was in fear of my life.
“I put my hands up and said, guard, I don't know where I should be.”
The gunmen then went past him, he said, and made their way towards the silver van.
The court has also heard from photographer Ernie Leslie who told how he photographed the man who would later be known as "Flat Cap" emerging from the hotel.
Evidence has also been heard from two gardai - and CCTV footage from the Regency Hotel is set to be shown shortly.
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