Updated 16.45
A 29-YEAR-OLD man, who appeared in court this morning charged with unlawful possession of a handgun in connection with last week’s gang murder of Gareth Hutch in Dublin, has been denied bail.
Father-of-one Gareth Hutch (35), a nephew of Gerry “the Monk” Hutch, was shot dead as he was getting into his car outside Avondale House flats, where he lived, on North Cumberland Street in inner city Dublin, on the morning of May 24.
He was the latest and seventh fatality in a wave of killings in a feud between rival Kinahan and Hutch crime gangs.
Thomas Fox was brought to appear before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court this morning.
He is charged with unlawful possession of of a Makarov 9mm handgun at Avondale House on 23 May, a day before the shooting.
The charge is contrary to section 27A of the Firearms Act which can carry a sentence of up to 14 years.
Refusing bail Judge Halpin said the man “stands before this court charged with a most serious offence and it is linked to the abominable and cold-blooded feud between two gangland families, the ferocity and viciousness of which has increased exponentially”.
You would have to be living on Mars to escape the daily reportage of the war raging between these two families and the mounting victims, the products of their business.
Mr Fox who has an address at Rutland Court, in north inner city Dublin, had been originally arrested on 24 May, the day of the shooting, after he presented himself for questioning.
Remanded in custody
Det Sergeant Robert O’Reilly told Judge Halpin that Mr Fox replied “I have nothing to say” when the charge was put to him on Monday evening.
Objecting to bail, Garda Chief Superintendent Pat Leahy of Store St station cited the seriousness of the charge, the possible sentence it carries and he said “it is anticipated further more serious charges will be proferred”.
Defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said her client was seeking bail. The judge said he will hear the bail application later today. Dressed in black and red jacket, yellow stop and navy trousers, Mr Fox did not address the court.
Yesterday, 44-year-old Mary McDonnell appeared at the district court and was remanded in custody after she was accused of withholding information from gardai investigating.
Ms McDonnell, who was originally arrested last week, with an address at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street is, as soon as was practicable, information she knew or believed might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of any other person for a serious offence.
The charge is under Section 9 of the Offences Against the State Act which can carry a sentence of up to five years. That alleged offence is alleged to have happened at another address at Avondale House on May 24 last.
Hearing
Dressed in a black and white striped top and black trousers McDonnell was brought to appear before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court yesterday morning. She remained silent throughout the brief hearing.
No application for bail was made and she was remanded in custody to appear again on 7 June.
Garda Sergeant Enda O’Sullivan had told the court he arrested Mary McDonnell at 6.21pm on Monday at the Bridewell Garda station for purpose of charging.
She was charged at 6.52pm and “made no reply to the charge after caution” before she was handed a copy of the charge sheet, he said.
Garda Sergeant O’Sullivan had said he was applying for her to be remanded in custody.
Judge Halpin asked if there was going to be a bail application and her solicitor Philip Hannon said, “We are reserving our position in relation to bail, no application at this time”.
Judge Halpin was also told that directions from the DPP have not yet been obtained. The woman has not yet indicated how she will plead.
Judge Halpin remanded her in custody to appear again on 7 June and he acceded to a request from the defence solicitor to direct that she would get medical attention.
Mr Hannon also furnished the court with a statement of her means for the purpose of a legal aid application, adding “it’s an appropriate case”. Garda O’Sullivan said there was no objection and free legal aid granted.
A woman, remained in garda custody, as of this morning, in connection with the fatal shooting.
Originally published 12.39pm
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