The new life for Jonathan Dowdall will cost Irish taxpayers just €100,000 – and he’ll have to stand on his own feet after a few months, it has emerged.
A day after the bombshell news emerged that the former Sinn Fein councillor is to give evidence in the murder trial of Gerry “The Monk” Hutch, sources have confirmed to Dublin Live it is unlikely the State will buy him a new home. Instead, the sources – who have an in-depth knowledge of the Witness Security Programme that Dowdall, 44, is being assessed for – revealed that it is more likely the State will rent him a property for a few months.
He will have to give up his life and start again abroad after he dramatically agreed to make a statement to gardai investigating the February 2016 murder of Daniel Kinahan associate David Byrne in the notorious attack at Dublin’s Regency Hotel.
Read more: Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch Regency Hotel trial postponed by a week in light of new evidence
One expert told Dublin Live: “If it was me, I’m thinking I’d manage it for less than €100,000. He will be supplied with a similar standard of living as he has here. So probably a rented property for three months and moderate expenses. He’d be expected to go get work.”
Dowdall, a former member of Dublin City Council, was also orginally charged with the murder of Byrne – but that charge against him was shelved on Monday. He has now pleaded guilty along with his father Patrick Dowdall, 65, to the lesser charge of facilitating the murder – after they admitted hiring a room at the hotel as part of the plot.
READ NEXT:
Dublin Port seizure sees huge €1.3 million tobacco find for Revenue
Easy shower tip only takes minutes and could save Irish families hundreds a year
Switching Ulster Bank and KBC: Phoneline opens for vulnerable customers to help move account
Injured dog rescued by Dublin Fire Brigade and DSPCA after getting trapped under Luas tram
New Covid symptom to watch out for as 'twindemic' expected to sweep Ireland
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
