Crime World Extra: Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch and his battle with the Special Criminal Court

Veteran criminal Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch has been given permission to take a High Court challenge against the jurisdiction of the Special Criminal Court to hear his trial for the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin five years ago.

He claims that the decision to try him before the non-jury court is a ‘significant curtailment of his rights’. A similar challenge is also being taken by former Sinn Fein Councillor Jonathan Dowdall, who is also facing trial for the murder of Byrne

But what are these challenges and what is the background to the existence of the court.

Nicola Tallant is joined by Sunday World deputy editor Niall Donald to discuss the actions against the long established court, which has investigated countless gangland crime cases in recent years.

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