Hutch gang is made up from close family members

Regency murder trial told by top garda of crime structuré

- PAUL HEALY

A SENIOR garda has told the Regency trial of his knowledge about the existence of the “Hutch criminal organisation”.

Detective Superintendent David Gallagher of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, said in his opinion the group is made up of “close family members” and came together and “galvanised” after the emergence of a feud with the Kinahan cartel in 2015.

Gerry Hutch, 59, from The Paddocks, Clontarf , denies a charge of murdering Kinahan cartel associate David Byrne, 34, in Dublin’s Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016.

Yesterday marked the 15th day of the non-jury trial, which is expected to last up to 12 weeks.

Also before the court are Paul Murphy, 61, of Cherry Avenue, Swords, and 51-year-old Jason Bonney, of Drumnigh Wood Portmarnock.

They have both pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to activity that could facilitate the commission of a serious offence namely the murder of David Byrne – by a criminal organisation by providing access to individual motor vehicles on February 5, 2016.