Man to be tried at Special Criminal Court for 2016 murder of Gareth Hutch

A Dublin man will go on trial next year at the non-jury Special Criminal Court charged with the murder of a nephew of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch five years ago.

Thomas McConnell (35), of Sillogue Gardens, Ballymun, Dublin 11, is charged with the murder of Gareth Hutch (36), contrary to common law, on May 24th, 2016, at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1.

Fiona Murphy SC, for the State, said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was applying to have Mr McConnell’s trial heard before the three-judge court.

In certain cases the State can apply for a certificate to transfer a trial to the Special Criminal Court if it is believed the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt on Thursday granted the State’s application to hear the case at the Special Criminal Court.

Mark Lynam BL for Mr McConnell, who was not in court, requested a trial date for his client’s case. Mr Justice Hunt fixed June 15th for the trial and put the matter in for mention agian on January 11th.

Mr McConnell appeared at Tallaght District Court in June on foot of an extradition warrant from Turkey on a charge of murdering Mr Hutch, who was shot dead as he was getting into his car outside the flats complex.