Gareth Hutch was shot dead in Dublin on Tuesday 24 May 2016.[1] He was a nephew of Gerry Hutch.[1] He was also a cousin of Gary Hutch and a nephew of Eddie Hutch Snr.
Shortly before he was shot, Gareth Hutch was issued with a Garda Information Message that there was a threat to his life.
Gareth Hutch had previously been charged with attempted armed robbery of a van carrying cash in Lucan, but was found not guilty.[2] [3]
His flat in Avondale House had previously been searched by the Gardaí investigating the shooting of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel.[2]
He had been issued with a Garda Information Message telling him his life was in danger.[2] Local councillor Noel Ring said he had spoken to Mr. Hutch about moving to a more secure flat.[4] Mr. Hutch was concerned not only for his own safety but also for his sons'.[4] He said that he did not want to be shot in front of his son.[4]
He was shot as he stood next to his car outside the Avondale House Flats on North Cumberland Street on the morning of 24 May 2016.[2] The two gunmen had trouble starting their getaway car, then fled on foot before getting into another vehicle nearby.[2] Three to six shots were reported to have been fired.[2] Two handguns were retrieved from the scene.[4]
A man was arrested over the murder the same day as the shooting.[5] The Irish Times reported that the man denied involvement with the murder, but approached Gardaí because he feared that he would be suspected of involvement after Gardaí searched his home.[6]
Two women suspected of helping the attackers, one a relative of the suspect who fired the fatal shot, were arrested for questioning.[7]
A video clip of CCTV footage was circulating on social media less than twelve hours after the murder.[6] A Garda inquiry is investigating the video clip and trying to discover if a Garda was responsible for it.[6]
A trial of three defendants before the Special Criminal Court began on 5 June 2018.[8] [9] The defendants pleaded not guilty.[8] [9]
In November 2018 the court found Johnathan Keogh, his sister Regina Keogh and Thomas Fox guilty of the murder.[10] [11] All three were sentenced to life imprisonment by presiding judge Tony Hunt.[10] [11] Johnathan Keogh was found to have fired the shots.[10] [11] Gardai were present around the court and the Garda Public Order Unit was present in the court but there were no incidents.[10] [11]