A 24-year-old man has been charged with the murder of David Byrne during an attack at a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin.
Mr Byrne (34) was shot dead at the hotel in Drumcondra in north Dublin on February 5th.
Patrick Hutch of Champions Avenue, Dublin 1, was brought to appear before Judge Hugh O’Donnell at a special late sitting of Dublin District Court on Wednesday night.
Det Sergeant Michael Mulligan told Judge O’Donnell that at 5.41pm on Wednesday, Mr Hutch was arrested and at 6.28pm he was charged with Mr Byrne’s murder.
The court heard Mr Hutch, who was represented by solicitor John Feaheny, “made no reply to the charge”.
The judge said the DPP has directed trial on indictment.
Due to the nature of the charge, the district court cannot grant bail meaning Mr Hutch, who was dressed in grey tracksuit bottoms and a blue sweatshirt, will have to bring an application to the High Court to get released pending trial.
Judge O’Donnell remanded Mr Hutch in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on May 25th next when the case will be listed for mention.
Mr Feaheny said there was an application for free legal aid for to his client. It was granted after the court noted there was no Garda objection to the request.
The defence solicitor said he wanted to prepare a bail application and he would notify the prosecution.
Mr Hutch, who had long fair hair and a beard, remained silent for the duration of the brief hearing and has not yet indicted how he will plead.
A book of evidence has yet to be prepared.
Gardaí in bulletproof vests were present for the hearing at the Criminal Courts of Justice last night.
Five people have been arrested in connection with Mr Byrne’s death.
Two men in their 50s and 30s were detained at Swords and Clontarf Garda stations on Tuesday night. Another man in his 20s was arrested on Friday and another man, who is in his 50s was detained on Wednesday.
