REGENCY getaway driver Jason Bonney fled Ireland after the murder of David Byrne, The Irish Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Bonney’s sudden disappearance in February 2016 left pals shocked as they failed to locate the 52-year-old.
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But he returned to Ireland a month later, in March 2016, as the Kinahan cartel waged war on Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s family and associates.
And when he was back in Dublin, we can also reveal how he remained close to exiled gangland boss George ‘The Penguin’ Mitchell’s money man Patrick ‘Scooter Boy’ Lawlor, 56.
Following his return, he refused to tell his pals why he had disappeared.
Before the Regency attack, Gardai believe he had a close relationship with Lawlor, who as the Penguin’s representative here, laundered millions in drugs cash.
One source said: “In the days after the Regency, Bonney fled and no one knew where he was. Lawlor was asking about him around Dublin but no one knew what had happened.
“No one had any idea at the time of his involvement with the Hutch group because everyone thought he was just working with Lawlor.
“Bonney was well in with the Hutch group but he had connections to Lawlor and other senior figures in The Penguin’s group.
“He was well in with Lawlor because he was a hard man and had been involved in a few rows over the years.”
As Bonney begins his eight-and-a-half-year sentence for his role in helping the Hutch Organised Crime Group kill David Byrne, we also reveal how Bonney’s dad knew Jonathan Dowdall’s dad, Patrick.
Bonney also had a violent reputation when he was younger and is believed to have been recruited to the Hutch gang because he was known to the Dowdalls.
His decision to join the ranks of the Hutch gang came back to haunt him after his sentencing by the Special Criminal Court on Friday.
The source added: “Bonney would have known Dowdall’s father from working as a bouncer in the pubs in previous years.
‘PERFECT RECRUIT’
“He wasn’t on the Gardai’s radar at the time of the Regency — so he was the perfect recruit. He was also someone who could have been trusted because of his relationship with Dowdall.
“He also tried his hand at various businesses over the years and, because he was so arrogant, he probably thought he could get away with his involvement in the Regency.”
Bonney’s pal Paul Murphy, 61, a taxi driver from Cherry Avenue, Swords, Co Dublin, was jailed for nine years over the Regency hit.
Ms Justice Tara Burns said the attack could not have been carried out without planning and “both men knew a serious crime was occurring”.
The Special Criminal Court also heard both men had been at the gang’s “centre of operations” at Buckingham Village in the capital.
REGENCY CONVICTIONS
Friday’s convictions mean four men have now been convicted over the Regency attack.
Dissident republican Kevin ‘Flat Cap’ Murray was also due to be charged but he passed away before he could be brought to court.
Although Gerry Hutch went on trial for murder, he was later acquitted.
It’s understood Hutch continues to remain in Ireland as he awaits to hear if his €400,000 costs for the huge court case will be covered.
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