Northern Ireland

Three given life sentences for Gareth Hutch murder in Dublin

Gareth Hutch
Gareth Hutch

TWO men and a woman have been convicted of the murder of a man who was killed in Dublin amid a high-profile gangland feud.

Gareth Hutch was shot four times at the Avondale House flats complex on North Cumberland Street in Dublin's north inner city in May 2016.

The 35-year-old was the nephew of Gerry Hutch, known as 'The Monk'.

His death came amid a feud between rival Hutch and Kinahan gangs which claimed multiple lives.

The dispute escalated after a high-profile attack on a boxing weigh-in at Dublin's Regency Hotel in February 2016 during which a man was shot dead.

Jonathan Keogh, from Gloucester Place, and Thomas Fox and Regina Keogh, with an address at Avondale House on Gardiner Street, had denied murdering Mr Hutch.

They were found guilty yesterday at the Special Criminal Court and were given mandatory life sentences.

Fox was also found guilty of the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the court was satisfied Jonathan Keogh was the man who fired the shots in a "callous and cold-blooded manner".

He added that he was involved in almost every aspect of the planning of the murder.

The prosecution alleged that Fox was the getaway driver and was also "instrumental" in planning the attack.

Mr Justice Hunt said delivering the verdict that it was with reluctance the court was convicting Regina Keogh of murder.

He said she is a person of good character, but the conviction was the result of her involvement in her brother's affairs.

The judge said Regina Keogh had "colluded to provide intentional and substantial assistance" in the killing.

There was a heavy garda presence around the Special Criminal Court, but there were no incidents.