Dowdall did not know there was 'this big Hutch criminal organisation', trial told

The ex-Sinn Féin councillor also said he never knew that Patsy Hutch was involved in crime

Former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall (right) being cross-examined during the trial at the Special Criminal Court of Gerry "The Monk" Hutch for the murder of David Byrne. He admitted he was "reckless" when he helped book a room at the Regency Hotel for one of the raiders on the night before the murder. Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook

Ex-Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, a former co-accused of Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch who has turned State's witness, has told the Special Criminal Court that he did not know there was "this big Hutch criminal organisation" and never knew the accused's brother Patsy Hutch was "involved in crime".

Dowdall on Thursday admitted he was "reckless" when he helped book a room at the Regency Hotel for one of the raiders on the night before the murder of Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne.