State witness Jonathan Dowdall now might not get to take the stand before Christmas - due to questions about the status of his witness protection application.
The revelation came on what is the 28th day of the Special Criminal Court trial of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch on Wednesday - after it was thought that Dowdall could give evidence this week. Ms Justice Tara Burns presiding expressed concern that “we may not have Mr Dowdall before Christmas” due to a question mark over the status of his witness protection application.
The judge had said that time was going to be set aside on Thursday afternoon to potentially have Dowdall take the stand - but that’s now a “non runner.” Following lengthy submissions from Defence Counsel Brendan Grehan SC throughout the day - in objecting to Dowdall’s evidence, Ms Justice Burns asked the prosecution what the status of Mr Dowdall’s witness protection application was.
