Jonathan Dowdall claims he was 'set up' for murder of Kinahan cartel member David Byrne

Former Sinn Féin councillor said the Hutches were 'willing to throw someone else under the bus' for the Regency Hotel murder

Court sketch of Jonathan Dowdall giving evidence in the trial at the Special Criminal Court of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, third left, for the murder of David Byrne. Illustration: Elizabeth Cook

Former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, a former co-accused of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch who has turned State's witness, has claimed he was "set up" for the murder of Kinahan cartel member David Byrne by being connected to a room at the Regency Hotel used by one of the raiders.

Under cross-examination for a second day by Mr Hutch's barrister Brendan Grehan SC, Dowdall said he did not know who was to stay in the hotel room but it had been "tied" to him and his family.