Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch is going to ask the High Court for permission to challenge a decision to have his murder trial heard before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
His trial for the murder of David Byrne, who was shot dead during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin five years ago, is due to get underway next October.
Hutch was extradited from Spain in September and taken straight to the Special Criminal Court after being charged.
The Special Criminal Court hears cases involving terrorist and gangland offences.
In general, it doesn’t use juries for fear of jurors being threatened, intimidated or bribed. Instead, a panel of three judges considers the evidence and delivers verdicts.
In Mr Hutch’s case, it was decided the ordinary courts were inadequate to hear his trial and in the interests of the administration of justice and the preservation of peace, the DPP certified that it be heard before the non-jury court.
However, the 58-year-old has decided to challenge that decision.
First, his legal team, led by Dublin-based firm Ferrys Solicitors, will have to convince the High Court next week to allow them to apply for a full judicial review.
