Ireland Crime

The Supreme Court, in a five-judge panel led by Judge Niamh Hyland, dismissed Bonney's appeal, finding that while Tyrell's evidence should not have been treated as alibi evidence, Bonney suffered no injustice as the trial court was independently satisfied of his guilt and rejected both defence witnesses' testimony.

Reports the Court of Appeal's decision on 3 July 2026 rejecting Bonney's and Murphy's appeals against their sentences, confirming the 10-year headline sentences set by the Special Criminal Court. Also details the background of the Regency Hotel attack, the acquittal of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, and the separate sentencing of Jonathan Dowdall.

Provides full details of the Court of Appeal's reasoning, including the specific vehicles used (Bonney's BMW SUV and Murphy's silver Toyota Avensis taxi), the role of Kevin 'Flat Cap' Murray who died of motor neuron disease in 2017, the convoy of four other cars to St Vincent's GAA club, and Jonathan Dowdall's reduced charge and four-year sentence.

Reports the Court of Appeal sentencing appeal hearing where Bonney and Murphy argued their sentences were too high; Mr Justice Edwards reserved judgment for 3 July 2026.

Reports the Court of Appeal sentencing appeal hearing on 29 June 2026, including arguments by both appellants' counsel and the State, and the judge's preliminary remarks before the 3 July judgment.

Supreme Court hearing of Bonney's appeal on 12 May 2026; judgment reserved. Details of the legal argument over alibi evidence and the composition of the five-judge panel are provided.

A panel of three Supreme Court judges agreed Bonney's case meets the criteria for a Supreme Court appeal, raising issues on the meaning of alibi evidence under section 20 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and the treatment of rebuttal evidence. A hearing date will be fixed later.

10th anniversary tributes from David Byrne's family; confirms the final outcome of the case: Patrick Hutch's charges dropped in 2019 after the death of Det Supt Colm Fox, and Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch acquitted by the Special Criminal Court in April 2023.

First-hand eyewitness account by a journalist present at the Regency Hotel during the shooting, published on the 10th anniversary; describes the gunmen's appearance, the sequence of events, and the immediate aftermath.

Garda chief comments on 10th anniversary of the Regency Hotel shooting, rejects 'policing failure' characterisation, details investigation outcomes including 98 prosecutions, Gerry Hutch acquittal at Special Criminal Court, Patrick Hutch case collapse, and Kevin Murray's death of natural causes before trial.

10th anniversary interview with former Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan defending Garda intelligence at the time of the Regency Hotel shooting and describing the post-incident response.

10-year anniversary retrospective confirming Gardaí's acceptance that the hit team will likely never be convicted; summarises all legal outcomes including Murray's death, Patrick Hutch's case collapse, Gerry Hutch's acquittal, and the DPP declining to prosecute Patsy Hutch.

Court of Appeal hearing on sentence appeals; Bonney's barrister reports he has suffered a stroke in custody and seeks a medical report. Matter listed for mention 23 January 2026.

First-person eyewitness account published in connection with the BBC documentary 'Kinahan: The True Story of Ireland's Mafia'; describes the scene of the shooting, the gunmen's appearance and weapons, the immediate aftermath, and the author's personal experience of the event nine years later.

Reports that the DPP has declined to charge Patsy Hutch, ending the Garda probe into the Regency Hotel attack, and summarises earlier prosecutions arising from the same killing.

Reports that the DPP has declined to charge Patsy Hutch after a Garda file, and that no more charges are directed unless new evidence emerges. It also recaps earlier court outcomes in the case.

The article body is an unrendered search-widget template with no story text. The headline alone links Dowdall's home sale and planned move into witness protection to the notorious trial, which matches the Regency Hotel case.

Reports the full reasoning of the Court of Appeal in dismissing Dowdall's appeal, including Justice Birmingham's finding that the sentence was 'very lenient,' details of Dowdall's post-murder assistance driving a person to Northern Ireland as late as 7 March 2016, the differentiation from his father Patrick Dowdall's two-year sentence, the 52-day Gerard Hutch trial context, and arguments from both Dowdall's counsel (Michael O'Higgins SC) and the DPP's counsel.

Reports the Court of Appeal's reasoning for upholding the 4-year sentence, with Mr Justice Birmingham calling it 'very lenient' but not 'unduly severe', and the defence argument that Dowdall was put in the 'firing line'.

Reports the Court of Appeal's decision on Friday 14 July 2023 dismissing Dowdall's appeal against his four-year sentence and describing the sentence as very lenient. Gives background on the guilty plea, the original murder charge and the sentence.

Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Dowdall's sentence appeal, including his counsel's arguments and the judge's comments. It gives no appeal outcome.

Headline only: the court was told Dowdall was duped and put in the firing line for the Regency attack. The page contains no article text, dates, or sentencing details.

Reports the costs ruling of 7 June 2023 refusing Hutch's bid for the State to pay his legal costs, after his acquittal, and comments from lawyers on the prosecution strategy. Also sets out the timeline of the Regency prosecutions and the convictions of Bonney, Murphy and the Dowdalls.

Reports the Special Criminal Court's ruling refusing Gerard Hutch's costs application after his acquittal, and restates the court's findings on the attack, the weapons and the convictions of co-accused.

Reports Hutch's departure for Spain about a month after his acquittal, his continued monitoring by gardaí, his pending application for State-paid legal costs, and the sentences of Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney.

Profile of Bonney after sentencing. Adds his age (52), his background as a former champion boxer and builder, the court's finding that he drove the BMW jeep and rejection of family evidence that his late father was the driver, and criticism from his sisters.

Sentences announced: nine years for Murphy (61) and eight and a half years for Bonney (52). The court set a headline sentence of 10 years and placed both men at the upper end of seriousness for this offence. Gerard Hutch's acquittal and the court's finding that the attack was orchestrated by the Hutch criminal organisation are restated.

Reports the sentences imposed on Paul Murphy (nine years) and Jason Bonney (eight-and-a-half years) on 12 May 2023, the court's findings on their role, and their backgrounds as presented at the sentence hearing.

The article text is empty template code. Only the headline is available, so the county, date, names and other details are not stated.

Adds that Gerard Hutch was acquitted of the murder of David Byrne, that his costs application was moved to June 7 and opposed by the State, that Murphy and Bonney were found guilty as getaway drivers and will be sentenced on Friday, and details of Murphy's and Bonney's previous convictions.

Adds the trial evidence and judgment: Bonney found guilty of facilitating the murder and due for sentencing the following Monday; the judge rejected Peter Tyrell's and Julie McGlynn's evidence; Peter Tyrell says he stands by his account.

Reports Peter Tyrell's insistence that he did not lie, the judge's rejection of his and Julie McGlynn's evidence, and that Bonney was found guilty and is due to be sentenced. Also reports Jason Bonney's age as 50 in a photo caption.

Adds the Garda Commissioner's response to the acquittal: the Hutch gang remains under investigation, he will meet the DPP about further charges, and a GSOC officer is the subject of a probe over an alleged welcome-home party for Hutch.

Harris's response to the acquittal of Gerard Hutch. The article also covers Gsoc, the Garda Representative Association and bullying claims, which are not part of this case. It gives no exact date for the 2016 attack.

Adds the Garda Commissioner's response to the acquittal, including that the Hutch gang remains under investigation, a planned meeting with the DPP, a GSOC officer probe over an alleged welcome home party, and the Special Criminal Court's findings on the Regency attack and on witness Jonathan Dowdall.

Garda sources say Jonathan Dowdall is now of no use as a future witness after the court rejected his evidence and found he lied, and that the State must keep providing security for him and his family for years.

Reports gardaí believe Hutch will leave Ireland because the cartel still wants to kill him, and that the threat against him is classified as severe. Describes his flight from Ireland in 2016 and a reported bounty on his head.

Feature on Patsy Hutch after the Special Criminal Court judgment in Gerard Hutch's trial. Adds the court's view that Patsy Hutch may have planned the Regency attack, the evidence cited against him, and his 24-hour Garda protection. Patsy Hutch is not charged.

Analysis of the acquittal: it details the court's findings on the AK-47 rifles, the reliance on Jonathan Dowdall's evidence, and why the prosecution charged only murder, and it reports that new charges are considered unlikely.

Opinion piece on the Special Criminal Court acquittal of Gerry Hutch. It adds the writer's view that the evidence was thin, the judge's findings on firearms and the defence submission, the disregarding of Dowdall's evidence, and the view that others may face charges.

Reports the verdict in the trial: Hutch acquitted of murder, while Murphy and Bonney were found guilty of driving members of the hit team away from St Vincent's GAA ground.

Describes the courtroom scene and verdict day, including Hutch leaving court free, the convictions of Murphy and Bonney in the same trial, the length of the trial, and the Byrne family's reaction.

Adds the Garda statement renewing the appeal after the verdicts, the verdicts on 17 April 2023 (Hutch acquitted; Bonney and Murphy found guilty of providing a vehicle), and Hutch's release from Wheatfield Prison.

Reports the Special Criminal Court verdict on 17 April 2023: Hutch acquitted of murder, and Murphy and Bonney convicted of lesser charges relating to providing a vehicle.

Adds the Special Criminal Court's reasons for acquitting Hutch, the convictions of Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney on lesser charges, the continuing Garda inquiry into directing an organised crime gang and a tip-off allegation, and the pending costs application.

Reports the verdict in the trial: Hutch acquitted after about 60 years of age, having been in custody since August 2021; the court found the key witness Jonathan Dowdall a proven liar; Bonney and Murphy convicted and awaiting sentence.

Reports the not guilty verdict on the murder charge against Gerry Hutch. The article body is empty apart from template code, so no other details are available.

Analysis of the Hutch acquittal and the criticism of the Special Criminal Court; adds the court's reasoning on corroboration of accomplice evidence and the convictions of two co-accused on lesser charges.

Reports the verdicts: Gerard Hutch acquitted of murder; Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney convicted of facilitating the attack; Jonathan Dowdall's earlier plea and the court's findings on the Hutch family's role.

Reports the Special Criminal Court verdict acquitting Gerard Hutch, including the court's reasons for doubting the main witness and the audio evidence.

Gives the verdict reasoning and the outcomes for co-accused Paul Murphy, Jason Bonney and Jonathan Dowdall.

Reports the not guilty verdict for Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch in the Regency murder case, in a live blog. The text gives no details beyond the verdict.

Previews the Special Criminal Court judgment in the trial of Gerard Hutch, after the trial ended on 26 January with 52 days of evidence. It adds that co-accused Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney deny lesser facilitation charges and gives the judges' names and the trial's length.

Preview of the upcoming verdict in Gerry Hutch's Regency murder trial, detailing the prosecution evidence (alleged Dowdall confession, NSU recording, CCTV of rifles transferred to Shane Rowan) and the defence cross-examination of Dowdall over five days.

Provides a detailed chronological account of key trial moments including CCTV evidence, pathologist testimony, secret audio recordings, witness protection issues, tracker device records destruction, and closing speeches from both prosecution and defence.

Covers the final day of the trial with defence closing speeches for Jason Bonney and Paul Murphy, and the court's announcement that judgment will be delivered before 17 April 2023.

Reports the final day of the trial including closing speeches from defence counsel for Bonney (John Fitzgerald SC) and Murphy (Bernard Condon SC), and the presiding judge's announcement that the verdict will be delivered by 17 April 2023.

Reports the conclusion of the trial on 26 January 2023, the defence closing speeches for Bonney and Murphy, and the court's decision to deliver a verdict on 17 April 2023, just days after Hutch's 60th birthday.

Announces the verdict date (17 April 2023) and confirms that closing arguments for all co-accused defendants have been heard.

Trial concluded with closing statements from defence; verdict due 17 April 2023; Hutch remanded in custody, Murphy and Bonney on continuing bail. Defence argued circumstantial evidence and CCTV quality issues.

Closing speeches in the Regency Hotel murder trial; defence argues prosecution case depends on unreliable witness Dowdall and that the eight-hour audio recordings contain no unambiguous admission; prosecution relies on Dowdall's testimony and covert recordings showing Hutch's authority over the AK-47 rifles; trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Grainne Malone.

Defense closing speech by Brendan Grehan SC arguing the prosecution case depends entirely on the credibility of Jonathan Dowdall, a proven liar and perjurer, and that the audio recordings contain no unambiguous admissions by Hutch.

Prosecution and defence closing statements heard; prosecution argued Hutch was one of the two gunmen and the murder was carried out on behalf of the Hutch OCG in a feud with the Kinahan OCG; defence counsel Brendan Grehan attacked Jonathan Dowdall as 'a proven and admitted liar and perjurer' and said there were 'two big lies' at the heart of his evidence; Paul Byrne testified that Willie Bonney was at home from midday to around 4.30pm on 5 February 2016, contradicting the State's case that Jason Bonney drove the getaway jeep.

Defence alibi evidence for Jason Bonney: witness Julie McGlynn claimed to have seen Bonney in Donaghmede minutes after the shooting and saw Willie Bonney drive the BMW X5. Unexpected witness Peter Tyrell said he spotted Willie driving the BMW X5 at 2:44pm. Prosecution asked for time to consider its position; trial adjourned.

Defence called unexpected witness Peter Tyrell who testified Willie Bonney was driving the BMW X5 at 2.44pm; earlier witness Julie McGlynn placed Jason Bonney at her mother's home in Donaghmede at 2.45pm; prosecution asked for overnight time to consider its position; trial adjourned.

The State closed its case on day 50 of the trial; defence for Bonney called witness Julie McGlynn who testified Willie Bonney was at her mother's house around 11am on 5 February 2016 and that Jason was seen moving a truck later that day. Cross-examination challenged her account, noting Willie Bonney was having lunch elsewhere for over four hours. CCTV showed a BMW X5 leaving Drumnigh Wood at 11.38am and arriving at Eddies Fuels at 11.41am.

Reports the State closing its case on day 50 of the Special Criminal Court trial, Hutch and Murphy not calling evidence, licence plate evidence ruled inadmissible by Justice Burns, and Bonney's alibi witnesses (Julie McGlynn and a second witness) testifying that Willie Bonney drove the BMW X5 on 5 February 2016.

Reports that Gerry Hutch is not expected to call evidence on his behalf during the trial.

Trial day 23 January 2023: defences for Hutch and Murphy said no evidence to be called; Bonney's defence to go into evidence; State expected to close case next day; Bonney's 2016 gardaí interviews detailed; prosecution case on BMW X5 and Kevin Murray outlined; Murphy to challenge admissibility of licence plate evidence.

Testimony from garda analyst Sarah Skedd on phone/cell-site data supporting Dowdall's account of meeting Hutch, and on vehicle movements of the hit team; Dowdall's testimony about Hutch's alleged admission; defence arguments on Bonney's driving.

Defence for Jason Bonney outlines case that his father drove the BMW X5; Garda Michele Purcell cross-examined on CCTV identification; Sarah Skedd gives evidence on phone data, ANPR, CCTV and vehicle movements; Jonathan Dowdall's and Patrick Dowdall's phone data discussed; trial continues before Ms Justice Burns with Judges Berkeley and Malone.

Reports on trial proceedings: Bonney's defence contests CCTV footage of his jeep, prosecution calls final witness Sarah Skedd who presents phone data on Dowdall's Strabane journey, and details of the hit-team's escape route including the BMW X5 and Toyota Avensis taxi.

11th week of the non-jury trial; cross-examination of Det Garda Connolly on the timing of Dowdall's alleged confession meeting with Hutch; phone analysis evidence; testimony from Paul Brady about taxi plate rented to Murphy.

Reports Det Supt David Gallagher's evidence on the Hutch-Kinahan feud timeline (Jamie Moore shooting 2014, Patrick Hutch Junior shooting 2014, Gary Hutch murder in Spain 2015, Eddie Hutch murder 2016), Jonathan Dowdall's prior testimony, and the Special Criminal Court's ruling admitting CCTV footage of Paul Murphy's taxi despite Data Protection Act challenges.

Evidence on four feud-related shootings (Moore 2014, Patrick Hutch Jnr 2014, Gary Hutch 2015, Eddie Hutch 2016) given at trial; court rejects defence application to exclude CCTV of Murphy's taxi on Data Protection Act grounds; prosecution case expected to finish Thursday.