MUM’S FEUD PLEA AS HUTCH GOES FREE
Stop bloodshed call but attack fears grow following acquittal
THE mother of the Regency Hotel murder victim David Byrne yesterday called for an end to the Hutch-kinahan feud.
Sadie Byrne was speaking just moments after Patrick Hutch Jnr, who was accused of killing her son, walked free from court after his trial collapsed.
Mrs Byrne, whose family is embroiled in a Criminal Assets Bureau probe, also blasted the legal system.
Outside the Special Criminal Court yesterday, she said: “Who wants a feud? Who wants to live like this?
“I was never in trouble, never in an argument in me life. Who wants their child riddled? Gone to a sporting event and he doesn’t come home.”
The State dropped the charges after a lengthy delay after the death of chief investigator Det Supt Colm Fox.
He suffered a single gunshot wound in his office and a loaded Garda firearm was found nearby.
The Regency attack sparked the Hutch-kinahan feud on Irish soil that has claimed the lives of 18 people some of whom were completely innocent and in the wrong place at the wrong time.
DEAD
Byrne was shot dead in the hotel by one of three men dressed in kit similar to that worn by the Garda Emergency Response Unit.
The court was shown CCTV and still images taken by press photographers on the day of the incident.
In these images a man in a blonde wig and women’s clothing carrying a handgun could be seen. The State claimed that was Patrick Hutch Jnr.
Sources have said Mr Fox had left three notes in his office which made reference to the Regency investigation.
A source said: “It is believed Colm had made reference to mistakes in the investigation.
“It was an ambiguous reference but it is enough for a doubt to be created – they were not in a position to examine or cross-examine him on what he meant by these references.
“It is a tragic end to an incredibly detailed investigation and the only person prosecuted has walked free.”
The Byrne’s family blasted the development, shouting angrily in court. Relatives shouted: “It’s a disgrace, an absolute farce. Where is justice in this?” At one point Mrs Byrne tried to address the three judges.
Outside she and other family members slammed the acquittal.
Mrs Byrne, who is married to James “Jaws” Byrne, told the Irish Mirror: “Three weeks ago, I got a phone call to say this was happening.
“It was going around the Law Library, all the solicitors were saying he was walking. One day it will come out. I won’t be alive for it, but it will come out. I am sick. I can’t sleep at night, I’m awake every night.”
When the Irish Mirror asked her why her son was gunned down, she said: “David was killed because they couldn’t get who they were looking for. My David was running out because he thought they were police.
“You know who they were looking for, you have it all over the papers.” At the back of the court Mr Hutch Jnr changed into a tracksuit. He was met by a motorcyclist, believed to be Patsy Hutch, and sped away.
A source said there are heightened fears of another atrocity in the feud in the wake of the murder. A source explained: “Gardai have put armed units on standby and detectives in the feud flashpoints.
“There is a serious fear of a reprisal and people are fear another incident.”
A source added: “The Regency hit was organised by Hutch gang associates in a revenge attack after the murder by the Kinahan gang of Gary Hutch.
“They were attempting to murder Daniel Kinahan who was at the weighin. The gunmen were said to be hiding out in the North.
“Hutch is likely to leave the country immediately and could travel to Turkey where Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch is understood to be hiding.”
The Garda Ombudsman last night revealed it is conducting an inquiry into Det Supt Colm Fox’s death.
A statement said: “GSOC has kept a watching brief while the court proceed- ings continued. In light of today’s decision of the DPP to enter a nolle prosequi in the trial, GSOC has moved from an examination under section 91 of the 2005 Act to an investigation into the circumstances giving rise to the death of Det Supt Fox.
“The ability to conduct a proper oversight investigation will be dependent on the co-operation given by gardai and other agencies.
“Given our limited resources, considerable co-operation from all parties involved will be required for an effective investigation.
“GSOC is conscious behind the events which have given rise to this investigation, families and friends continue to mourn.”
Gardai have put armed units on stand-by in
flashpoints of the feud
GARDA SOURCE
DUBLIN YESTERDAY