GERRY Hutch returned to Wheatfield Prison after he was acquitted of murder to top up the prison accounts of the pals he had left behind.
The Irish Sun can reveal that the big-hearted Monk cleared out his own fund and distributed hundreds of euro among friendly inmates on the landing where he was caged while on trial for David Byrne’s murder.
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These included Jason Bonney and Paul Murphy, who were jailed for a total of 17 and a half years after they were convicted of acting as getaway drivers during the notorious Regency Hotel attack in 2016 during which Kinahan Cartel member Byrne was murdered.
A source said: “He had around €400 in his account and instead of taking it with him as most do he asked that it be distributed among prison pals.”
His nephew Ross Hutch – who joined his uncle in March 2023 after he was handed a 10-year term for a brutal attack on a man and a woman – also had his account topped up.
A source told the Irish Sun: “Days after Gerry was acquitted he called to the prison to collect some personal items and left around €100 each for those left on the landing, including Bonney and Murphy who had just received long sentences.
“€100 goes a long way in jail.
“Gerry was easy to deal with, never caused any trouble but he was clearly the boss and everyone respected him as much.
“But it’s testament to what he thought of everyone serving time on that landing that he was prepared to make this gesture.
“He just wants them looked after and for their time to be no harder than it needs to be.
“But it wasn’t expected and everyone was as delighted as they could be in the circumstances.”
‘MODEL PRISONER’
“Model prisoner” Gerry Hutch, 60, spent 19 months in the Dublin slammer right up until his acquittal in April.
Having been extradited from Spain in September 2021, he was brought to the prison’s 3G landing, where Hutch-associated inmates are based.
Among them were Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick.
Jonathan later turned State witness and was a key part in the failed case against Hutch.
He led a disciplined life in Wheatfield, feasting on porridge and honey for breakfast, walking up to 70km a week in the secured yard and sticking to an early to bed policy as he prepared for his trial.
He reportedly dazzled inmates with his skills on a George Foreman grill and microwave, dishing up toasties and fried spuds.
PRISON ALLOWANCE
Every prisoner receives an allowance of between €6.30 and €15.40 per week, depending on whether they are basic, standard or enhanced status, and can earn more by performing work in areas such as cleaning and laundry.
They can also receive cash into their accounts from family and friends.
In 2021, inmates were paid €3.1million in allowances and banked an extra €4.9 million in gifts from outside the prison system.
It’s understood accounts pre-Covid could be topped up in cash but since the pandemic thais has all moved electronically.
Hutch was cleared of Byrne’s murder at the Special Criminal Court in April.
A source explained: “During the trial he was quite calm but nervous at the same time.
“He thought it could go either way, 50/50. He knew his case was strong but because it was the Special Criminal Court was worried that could go against him.”
After a few weeks with family in Ireland, he reportedly went back to Spain in May.
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