Extra security measures have been in place throughout this trial
A significant security operation is being put in place at the Criminal Courts of Justice this morning to facilitate Jonathan Dowdall giving evidence at Gerry Hutch’s murder trial.
The former Sinn Féin councillor was also due to stand trial for the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin, but the charge against him was dropped.
Jonathan Dowdall was supposed to be sitting in the dock alongside Gerry Hutch but his plea to a less serious offence was accepted by the DPP and the murder charge against him was dropped just before the trial opened before the non-jury court.
Mr Hutch’s lawyers claimed the charge was dropped in exchange for him testifying against their client but the prosecution denied there wasn’t any link between the two developments and last week, the judges dismissed their attempt to stop Dowdall getting into the witness box.
He’s expected to do so at some point today. Extra security measures have been in place throughout this trial but they’re expected to go up a notch again today to accommodate Dowdall giving his evidence.
The court has already heard that he’s been assessed for the Witness Protection Programme. Dowdall is expected to claim that Mr Hutch told him he was part of the hit team that shot David Byrne at the Regency Hotel.
Watch: Violence Erupts In Wicklow, As Gardai Deploy Pepper Spray To Defend Against Attack
Garda Commissioner Orders Re-Examination Of Stardust Fire Files
Road Collision In Carlow Leaves Motorcyclist Dead: Car Found Abandoned And Burnt Out
Gardaí Appeal For Witnesses Following Serious Assault Of Man In Tallaght
BREAKING: Jury In The Stardust Inquests Has Found The Victims Of The Fire Were Unlawfully Killed
Gardaí Carry Out 12 Searches As Part Of An International Operation Targeting Online Fraud
Watch: Chaos in Dubai - Baltinglass Teen's Airport Ordeal Reveals Extent Of Flooding After Record Rainfall
Ikea Boosts Delivery Efficiency For Kildare Customers With New Rathcoole Distribution Centre, Creating 120 Jobs
