Court rules Jonathan Dowdall can give evidence against Gerry Hutch

Supreme Court judges delivers ruling on a defence application challenging the admissibility of evidence to be given by ex-Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, who was a former co-accused of Mr Hutch

A prison van arrives at the Special Criminal Court where the trial of Gerry Hutch, for the murder of David Byrne, is continuing. Picture: Collins Courts

Judges at the Special Criminal Court trial of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, who is accused of the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel, have ruled the evidence to be given by former co-accused and now State's witness Jonathan Dowdall is admissible in the trial, despite defence objections.

In a separate matter, Ms Justice Tara Burns also said on Thursday she was "astonished" that the prosecution had still not been informed as to whether Dowdall, who was expected to enter the witness box either today or tomorrow, has been accepted into the Witness Protection Programme. Mr Hutch's defence have asked that this issue be resolved before Dowdall gives his evidence.