“Gerard Hutch Acquittal Raises Questions: Why Was He Only Charged with Murder? SEO-Optimized Title”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : The image of a long-haired and bearded Gerard Hutch walking out of the Special Criminal Court a free man after being acquitted of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel has become iconic. The 60-year-old remained disciplined, detached, and silent as he walked quickly up and down Infirmary Road, pursued by a media throng seeking a reaction or comment. He was photographed and filmed by TV stations and mobile phones, with the footage going viral.

Hutch also found himself accompanied by an unsolicited chaperone who later became an online sensation as a meme. The Garda Commissioner described the acquittal as a setback, raising serious questions about the garda investigation into the feud between two criminal gangs that has resulted in eighteen deaths. The state’s decision to use another gang member, former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, as the main prosecution witness was also questioned.

One of the main questions raised is why Gerard Hutch was only charged with murder when he could have been charged with other offenses. The court found that he had control and possession of the three AK 47’s used in the murder of David Byrne, as well as being seen as the head of the Hutch Organized Crime Group. However, he wasn’t charged with firearms offenses or directing a criminal gang.

Another question is why the State heavily relied on the evidence of Jonathan Dowdall, who was described by the court as a proven liar and master manipulator. Unfortunately, these questions may never be answered, as the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent and reviews evidence gathered by the gardaí to decide on the cases to be taken.

As it currently stands, three people have been charged with the murder of David Byrne, but none have been convicted. Gerard’s nephew, Patrick Hutch junior, had the charge of murder withdrawn by the DPP, and Jonathan Dowdall wasn’t convicted either. The failure to convict members of the Hutch gang has frustrated David Byrne’s family, who have expressed their anger in the past.

One of the bizarre repercussions of Hutch’s acquittal was the revelation that a senior investigator for the Garda Ombudsman Commission attended the party to celebrate his release from prison. The investigator had also worked on the GSOC investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Colm Fox, who took his own life at Ballymun Garda station. This led to the gardaí investigating the Garda Ombudsman in this case.

David Byrne’s family refused to comment after Gerard Hutch walked free, but two of the getaway drivers involved in the murders were jailed in May. Jason Bonney, a 52-year-old builder, and Paul Murphy, a 61-year-old taxi driver, were both polite and friendly during the trial. Despite their behavior, they were involved in the gang’s operations on the day of the murder.

The Byrne Organized Crime Group, identified as the Dublin branch of the Kinahan Organized Crime Group, has largely been dismantled, with its senior members in exile or custody. The Criminal Assets Bureau has seized their assets, and Liam Byrne, the gang leader, lost his fight against extradition to the UK. His brother-in-law, Thomas ‘Bomber’ Kavanagh, is serving 21 years for money laundering and drug trafficking.

In conclusion, the image of Gerard Hutch walking out of court as a free man after being acquitted of murder has become iconic. The acquittal has raised serious questions about the garda investigation and the state’s decision to rely on a proven liar and manipulator as a prosecution witness. The failure to convict members of the Hutch gang has frustrated David Byrne’s family, while the bizarre events surrounding the Garda Ombudsman Commission’s investigator attending Hutch’s prison release party have further complicated the situation. The Byrne Organized Crime Group has been largely dismantled, with its senior members facing extradition and imprisonment..