Irish Daily Mirror

COPS FEAR HUTCH FUNERAL ATTACK

Garda presence at service for ‘Del Boy’

- BY GAVIN O’CALLAGHAN

TIGHT security will surround the funeral of Derek “Del Boy” Coakley Hutch this week as gardai fear for the safety of church-goers.

The 27-year-old became the 14th victim of the Kinahan/ Hutch feud when he was shot dead over a week ago.

Uniformed gardai are expected to attend the ceremony in North Dublin, while plain-clothes officers will mingle with mourners.

One message of condolence read: “I will pray for your family that they will get peace of mind. Such a waste of a young life. May he rest with the angels.”

A STRONG garda presence is expected at the funeral of Derek “Del Boy” Coakley Hutch in the capital this week.

The 27-year-old was gunned down more than a week ago as he sat in a car in a halting site near Wheatfield Prison, West Dublin, becoming the 14th victim of the Kinahan/hutch feud.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday in Our Lady’s of Lourdes Church, North Dublin.

As tensions escalate, officials believe a number of Hutch members attending the service could be targeted by the rival gang.

In messages of condolence­s, one sympathise­r wrote: “So sorry for the tragic loss of your son. I will pray for your family that they will get peace of mind. Such a waste of a young life. May he rest with the angels, you’ll never walk alone.” Another wrote: “Don’t know Derek or the Hutch family but I am sorry for your tragic loss.

“He was a young man who had children. May God give them strength and love at this difficult time, and may God justice deal with persons responsibl­e for such a unkind deed. “Prayers and thoughts with all of you. RIP.”

Coakley Hutch’s brother Nathan, who is currently in prison after being extradited from the UK for alleged motor theft and knife possession offences, will not be allowed out to attend the funeral amid fears for the safety of officers who would have to accompany him.

It is understood he heard his brother being shot dead while talking to him on a mobile phone in the victim’s car.

The inmate heard gunfire, sparking panic inside the prison and outside. Up to 500 people turned up to Derek’s vigil last Thursday where a moment’s silence was held at a monument for those who have died of drug use.

Mourners linked arms and sang You’ll Never Walk Alone in tribute to the Liverpool fan before releasing a Chinese lantern in his memory.

A large garda contingent attended the vigil, many in plain clothes, along with members of the

Armed Support Unit who kept a close watch on some mourners.

A source told the Irish

Mirror there was no sign of

Gerry “The Monk” Hutch at the vigil and it is not known whether he will be attending on Wednesday. It is believed members of the Hutch gang have killed two people in the latest feud while the Kinahan gang have murdered 12. Derek Hutch had a number of previous conviction­s and was well-known to gardai. Meanwhile, detectives investigat­ing his death have made a breakthrou­gh as they believe his killer has been captured on CCTV.

Gardai also seized footage from the nearby Wheatfield Prison in the hope of identifyin­g the gang behind the hit. It is also believed the killer has now gone into hiding after a known Hutch hitman reappeared in Dublin after being in exile for a number of

months. Meanwhile, the hunt is continuing after another shooting incident near The National Boxing Stadium just south of Dublin city centre.

Graham “Chocco” Byrne, was hit in the foot when a masked gunman got out of a car and opened fire in front of the stadium shortly before 10pm on Friday night, sparking panic among people attending an event.

Gardai suspect the 44-year-old was the target of the shooting but are unsure whether he is associated with the Hutch-kinahan feud.

Two innocent students were also among those hurt in the attack.

A Garda spokespers­on told the Irish Mirror one person was treated at the scene while another was taken to St James’s Hospital.

Neither suffered life-threatenin­g injuries.

 ??  ?? SHOT DEAD Derek Coakley Hutch was killed on January 20
SHOT DEAD Derek Coakley Hutch was killed on January 20
 ??  ?? CHURCH Our Lady of Lourdes in North Dublin BIG PRESENCE Gardai at Eddie Hutch Snr’s funeral two years ago
CHURCH Our Lady of Lourdes in North Dublin BIG PRESENCE Gardai at Eddie Hutch Snr’s funeral two years ago
 ??  ?? VIGIL Lantern for Hutch
VIGIL Lantern for Hutch
 ??  ?? SHOT DEAD Derek Coakley Hutch
SHOT DEAD Derek Coakley Hutch

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