The Special Criminal Court has heard details of a plot to murder a brother of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch as part of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud.

Mark Capper of Cappagh Green in Finglas, Dublin 11 will be sentenced next month for taking part in activities intended to facilitate the planned hit.

An intelligence-led Garda operation led to a number of individuals and vehicles being put under surveillance in February 2018, and as part of that operation, it became apparent that Patsy Hutch was to be murdered.

Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher told the court the hit was to be carried out by associates of the Kinahan organised crime group, which he said was involved in serious offences on an international scale, including drug trafficking and murder.

The plan to murder Patsy Hutch involved a ruse to lure him from his home.

A spotter was to tell the hit team when he was leaving, and the gunman was to be transported to the scene by motorbike.

Mark Capper took part in several meetings leading up to the planned hit, and he also went on a number of drive-throughs where he received instructions.

His involvement ended a few days before Gardaí moved on a van that was parked in an underground car park, and arrested three others.

Loaded guns and a bottle of petrol were seized from another stolen vehicle linked to the gang.

Capper was described as a “footsoldier” who expressed concerns about the plan and worried about getting caught.

He will be sentenced for his role next month.

Reporting by: Frank Greaney