Gerard Hutch, who was on trial for the 2016 Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne, has been acquitted by the Special Criminal Court of Ireland. Hutch, who had been in custody since August 2021, walked free from the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin after the verdict was delivered. Hutch maintained a quiet composure as he left, while media outlets attempted to interview him. Hutch had faced life in prison if found guilty and the verdict leaves the question of who is responsible for the Regency Hotel attack unanswered. The responsibility has been attributed to Hutch’s family as part of gangland warfare. Co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney were found guilty of aiding the killers as getaway drivers and will be sentenced later. The verdict also criticized the State’s case against Hutch, particularly the use of a convicted torturer and murder conspirator Jonathan Dowdall as the main witness. Dowdall was described as “a proven liar” who continued lying throughout the trial. The verdict also highlighted that the case against Hutch was one of participation rather than common design, raising questions about the State’s motivation in using Dowdall for the case.
