Patrick Hutch Junior of Champions Avenue, Dublin 1 has pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in February 2015. The court heard today that the alleged assassin screamed ‘I can’t f***ing find him’ after Mr Byrne was shot and killed.
Hutch is charged with the murder of David Byrne on February 5, 2016, and also with possession of three assault rifles of Chinese, Romanian and Czech origin on the same day.
Sean Gallen, Senior Counsel prosecuting, outlined the State’s case against Hutch, who he said acted in a joint enterprise with five other people on the day of the crime. Mr Gallen told the court that on the day of murder there was a weigh-in at the Regency Hotel ahead of a boxing tournament at the National Stadium.
During this weigh-in, five gunmen, one dressed in a wig, heels and a black coat and another in a flat cap, along with three dressed in Garda Tactical style clothing entered the building and shot David Byrne.
The prosecuting barrister said the judges would hear evidence that eye witnesses heard gunfire, gunshots and cracking sounds and panic broke out.
It would be alleged David Byrne was shot twice as he ran towards reception and as he lay injured, a gunman approached him and ‘calmly and coldly’ discharged their weapon into his head and body.
It would be alleged the raiders were looking for a specific person that day as a man – wearing a wig – was heard shouting: “He’s not f***ing here, I couldn’t f***ing find him.”
When the charges were put to him this afternoon Patrick Hutch Junior replied: “Not guilty – your honour.”
