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Garda bug sought under 'culture of secrecy', Hutch lawyers tell Regency trial

2022-11-25 · Monaghan, Monaghan · Special Criminal Court

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Person profile: Jonathan Dowdall

At the Special Criminal Court, defence counsel for Gerard Hutch have argued that a garda audio recording of conversations between Hutch and former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall should be deemed inadmissible. Brendan Grehan SC submitted that the recording, captured on March 7 2016, was obtained in breach of the Criminal Justice Surveillance Act 2009, as Dowdall's vehicle crossed into Northern Ireland for approximately eight of the ten hours during which the device was active. Grehan contended that a District Court judge authorising the surveillance lacked complete information, as the detective superintendent had failed to disclose prior tracker deployments or the vehicle's anticipated travel outside the jurisdiction. He characterised the authorisation process as operating under "a culture of secrecy" and involving "an unintentional lack of candour". The prosecution argues the recording forms part of the core of their case against Hutch, who denies murdering Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne in February 2016. The three-judge court will rule on admissibility following prosecution submissions expected Monday.

Source: Courts News Ireland This page is a localnews.ie summary and index entry; the full original report may require a publisher subscription.

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