SECURITY will be beefed up as Jonathan Dowdall gives evidence against Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch today.
But the State witness won’t have to walk past the murder accused after a change in the court used.
Hutch’s trial for the Regency killing of Kinahan thug David Byrne had been taking place in court 11 in the Criminal Courts of Justice, in Dublin.
But the prosecution asked on Friday if it could be moved to court 17, which has a jury box and private door.
A source told The Irish Sun: “In court 11 the only door is the main door to the court, which would see Dowdall brought through the public areas of the CCJ building and have to walk directly past Hutch.
“So the trial has been moved up a floor to court 17, where there is a jury box and a jury room door.
“He’ll be brought through that entrance in to the court. This will also see him sitting in a witness box far removed from Hutch. And it makes better logistical sense for the prison officers who will escort him to court.”
Security will be boosted at the court as Dowdall appears to give his long-awaited testimony.
Armed gardai have been patrolling the perimeter since the trial began on October 18 and people entering the building will be subjected to strict searches.
There is also expected to be huge interest among the public and an overflow courtroom will show the proceedings on television monitors.
Dowdall, 44, is serving a four-year sentence for facilitating Byrne’s murder at the Regency.
Hutch, 59, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel on February 5, 2016.
His co-accused Paul Murphy, 61, of Cherry Avenue, Swords, Dublin and Jason Bonney, 51, of Drumnigh Wood, Portmarnock, Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to participating in or contributing to the facilitation of Byrne’s murder by providing motor vehicles for a criminal gang.
The trial continues.
