Gerry Hutch’s barrister has objected to Jonathan Dowdall giving evidence on the grounds that he has an “incredibly powerful incentive” to make a statement against his client.

The former Sinn Féin councillor was also due to stand trial for the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel but the charge was dropped earlier this year.

In his opening address, the prosecuting barrister said Jonathan Dowdall would give evidence of meeting the accused in a public park in the days after the shooting.

Today, defence barrister Brendan Grehan said that during that alleged meeting, Dowdall claims his client confessed to his direct involvement in the murder.

Mr Grehan has spent some time questioning the process that led to Dowdall’s murder charge being dropped.

He says it is clear there was a quid pro quo arrangement in terms of the charge going away and him providing a statement against Mr Hutch.

He claims Dowdall had the DPP over a barrel and that he played a very powerful hand with an “incredibly powerful incentive” to do so.

With that in mind, he argued that it’s not possible for his client to receive a fair trial if Jonathan Dowdall is allowed to give evidence.

Mr Hutch denies murdering David Byrne.

Main image: The Special Criminal Court. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie