Ireland holds its breath for one of its biggest ever murder trials as ‘very significant new evidence’ delays hearing against Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch over the death of Kinahan cartel associate for a week
- Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch appeared in court in Dublin today accused of murder
- Hutch is charged over Regency Hotel shooting in 2016 which killed David Byrne
- David was the brother of Liam Byrne, believed to be Kinahan gang’s Irish leader
- Liam’s son Lee is believed to be dating Steven Gerrard’s daughter, Lilly-Ella
Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch appeared in court in Ireland today charged with murder over a fatal shooting at a hotel in Dublin back in 2016.
Hutch, 59, was wearing a white shirt and sporting what appeared to be a hearing aid as he walked into the Special Criminal Court in the Irish capital, accused of orchestrating the shooting of David Byrne.
Byrne was shot dead by AK-wielding gunmen at Dublin’s Regency Hotel during a boxing weigh-in amid a gang feud. He was the younger brother of Liam Byrne – identified by police as the head of the Kinahan gang’s operations in Ireland.
Liam is thought to have been at the hotel with Daniel Kinahan – assumed to be the target of the shooting – but the pair escaped. Liam was last week pictured hanging out with Steven Gerrard, amid reports his son is dating the footballer’s daughter.
The court was told that ‘very significant additional evidence’ against Hutch has come to light, and that the trial will be delayed until next week.
Gerry Hutch is due to go on trial today in Dublin accused of the Regency Hotel shooting back in 2016 (fil image, taken in 2016)
A huge police operation is underway around the Special Criminal Court where Hutch is due to appear, with armed officers on patrol
A judge ordered the move after agreeing that the evidence was significant enough to warrant ‘a fundamental reappraisal of the defence strategy’.
David Byrne was shot dead in Dublin in 2016
The court was told that the additional evidence had been served and what remains outstanding is correspondence from the defence team’s solicitor.
The court also heard that it is not expected the trial will be able ‘to begin proper’ next Monday morning due to the additional evidence served.
Jonathan Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor, is expected to give evidence against 59-year-old Hutch during the trial.
Armed police were pictured at court today, with the Irish Independent saying that firearms officers were on hand to escort Hutch from Wheatfield Prison to the dock.
Plainclothes officers were also present in the courtroom itself, with the building swept by sniffer dogs in advance to check for explosives and weapons.
David’s brother Liam (pictured front right in dark glasses, carrying his brother’s coffin) is accused of being leader of the Kinahan gang in Ireland
A horse and trop takes part in the funeral of David Byrne, was was shot dead in Dublin amid a gang feud dating back to 2015
Armed patrols were also be deployed to keep an eye on the homes of senior members of the Hutch gang.
Meanwhile public order officers were on hand to prevent clashes between members of the Hutch and Kinahan clans – who were thought to be attending.
Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney will also go on trial accused of providing logistical support to the Regency Hotel kill-squad.
The trial is expected to last for eight weeks, but it could be delayed as Hutch’s legal team apply for more time to review new evidence.
Hutch is accused of the murder of David Byrne, brother of Liam – allegedly the leader of the Kinahan gang in Ireland and who was recently pictured with Steven Gerard (above)
Steven Gerrard’s daughter Lilly-Ella, 18 (left), is allegedly dating Lee Bryne (right), the son of alleged Irish mob boss Liam Byrne
