Three men appear in court in connection with Regency Hotel shooting

Three Dublin men appeared before an out-of-hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday charged with helping a crime gang murder David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016.

Patrick Dowdall (64) with an address at Navan Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, Paul Murphy (59), of Cherry Avenue, Swords, Co Dublin and Jason Bonney (50), of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin 13 were each arrested on Tuesday and brought before the three-judge court.

Gardaí objected to bail for Mr Bonney, whom they allege was part of a crime gang involved in the murder.

Mr Murphy and Mr Bonney are both charged with participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by providing access to motor vehicles to that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 5th, 2016.

Mr Dowdall is accused of participating in or contributing to activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the murder of David Byrne, by making a room available at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, for that criminal organisation or its members, within the State on February 4th, 2016.

The offences are contrary to section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.

Det Garda Paul Darling gave evidence to the Special Criminal Court of Mr Dowdall’s arrest, charge and caution. He told State solicitor Ciara Vibien that he arrested the accused at Main Street, Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, at 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Tony McGillicuddy, for Mr Dowdall, said he intended to bring a bail application for his client but explained that some work had to be done first. The barrister said his client had medical difficulties and asked the court to make a recommendation that he receive the appropriate medication when he went into custody.

Karl Monaghan, for Mr Bonney, said he would be asking the court to hear a bail application for his client and understood there would be objections to it. “He is a person with no convictions and no bench warrants and is offering a significant amount of money,” he added.

Det Garda Deirdre Quinn said she arrested Mr Murphy at Cherry Avenue in Swords at 4.30pm on Tuesday and brought him to Ballymun Garda station.

Each of the men stood as requested when the court registrar read the charges to them.

Mr Murphy was remanded in custody until Wednesday, when a bail application will be made to the non-jury court. Mr Dowdall was remanded in custody until Monday, when a similar application is expected to be made.

Det Sgt O’Keeffe told Maddie Grant, for the State, that gardaí were objecting to bail for Mr Bonney under the “O’Callaghan principles” and no bail conditions would satisfy his concerns.

Det Sgt O’Keeffe said it was alleged that Mr Bonney gave logistical support to the persons directly involved in the crime by being part of a convoy and transporting persons to and from the scene, at a pre-arranged meeting point at St Vincent’s GAA club in the north of the city.

The detective said there was strong evidence in the case including CCTV used to track vehicle movements, mobile phone data, and that the vehicle allegedly used by Mr Bonney to transport the gang was allegedly registered to his business.

Giving evidence, Mr Bonney said he could see no reason why gardaí would object to him being granted bail.

The court heard he was first arrested as part of the investigation in May 2016. Asked about Garda concerns of witness interference, the accused said he “would be in no position to intimidate anybody, with my health I’m not in a position to mix with anyone”.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge David McHugh and Judge Marie Keane, said they would need “visibility” as to Mr Bonney’s financial circumstances and for gardaí to check the financial proposal from his wife as well as the independent surety. “It doesn’t justify a complete refusal of bail. That is the basis upon which the court will grant bail. We will see what progress can be made,” said Mr Justice Hunt.

Mr Bonney was remanded in custody until next Monday.