A garda asked to make a statement about how two detectives identified Patrick Hutch might have been “influenced” by press coverage of the trial, a barrister has told the Special Criminal Court. Mr Hutch (25) of Champions Avenue, Dublin 1, is pleading not guilty to the murder of David Byrne (34) at the Regency on February 5th, 2016. The court heard that while Det Garda Brady was in the room Det Garda O’Flaherty looked at the picture and said he recognized the person on the left but did not name him. Garda Ryan said Det Garda O’Flaherty then left the office and was not in the room when Det Garda Brady viewed the image and identified Mr Hutch. Mr O’Higgins asked the witness under cross-examination if there was any doubt that when Det Garda Brady looked at the picture, Det Garda O’Flaherty was out of the room.

Source: The Irish Times January 19, 2018 14:03 UTC