Gardai Locate Data from Tracking Device Placed On Jeep Of Former Sinn Féin Councillor

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Jonathan Dowdall

The Regency Hotel murder trial has heard records relating to a tracking device placed on Jonathan Dowdall’s jeep have been found on a secure desktop computer.

Last week, the judges were told the data had been destroyed.

Gerry Hutch is on trial for the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in 2016. He denies the charge.

Last month, Jonathan Dowdall, a former Sinn Féin Councillor, was jailed for four years for facilitating the murder. He’s due to testify on behalf of the State.

The judges were previously told that a tracker and listening device had been placed on his jeep when he’s alleged to have driven Gerry Hutch to Northern Ireland a few weeks after the shooting.

The prosecution claims they travelled north to meet with Republicans. Last week, the court heard all records relating to the tracking device had been destroyed.

Mr Hutch’s barrister described it as a ‘disturbing development.’

However, the prosecuting barrister told the court this morning that they’ve since been found on a secure desktop computer, which was listed for destruction.

A working copy of the data has been secured and the court was adjourned until this afternoon to allow time for the material to be examined in full.