LAST UPDATE | 17 Apr 2023

NEED TO CATCH up? The Journal brings you a round-up of today’s news.

IRELAND

Gerry Hutch walking away a free man today. PA PA

• Gerry “The Monk” Hutch was found not guilty in the Special Criminal Court trial for the murder of David Byrne in the Regency Hotel in Dublin in 2016.
• Amid the political reaction, Mary Lou McDonald criticised what she called “false and deeply offensive comments” made during the trial claiming she had met Gerry “The Monk” Hutch. 
• Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said there are “very clear lessons to be learnt” following the publication of a report into the secondment of former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan to Trinity College Dublin.
• Former US senator George Mitchell urged leaders to act with the “courage and wisdom” that their predecessors had done 25 years ago.
• Christy Dignam said he’s happy but is sometimes scared about what is ahead during his sitdown with Ryan Tubridy about the illness that now has him in palliative care.
•  Eleven food businesses were served with closure orders in March by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
• A garda sergeant convicted of sexually assaulting a young woman launched a High Court action aimed at preventing his dismissal from the force. 
• A man was jailed for three-and-a-half years for repeatedly raping his younger sister in their family “house of horrors” when they were both children.
• Two men in their 20s were hospitalised following an incident in Tallaght.
• A retired priest who lost control of his car and struck mourners gathered outside a church leading to the death of one man and serious injury to three others was given a suspended sentence.

INTERNATIONAL 

A Just Stop Oil protester jumps on the table and throws orange powder. Mike Egerton / PA Mike Egerton / PA / PA

#SUDAN Sudanese in the capital Khartoum and other cities huddled in their homes for a third day, as the army and a powerful rival force battled in the streets for control of the country. Charities including Concern have suspended their work in the northeast African country. 

#OIL PROTEST Activists form ‘Just Stop Oil’ forced a stoppage in play early in the evening session at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. The duo invaded the arena shortly after play began, interrupting the match by jumping on the table where one man released a packet of orange dye. 

#SPACEX It postponed the first test flight of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built. 

PARTING SHOT 

A burning question after today’s extraordinary verdict in the Regency shooting trial is where does Gerry “The Monk” Hutch go next? Niall O’Connor looks at how Hutch’s property dealings during the Celtic Tiger years might hold the answer. 

And if you’re looking for a read back on today’s events, Eimer McCauley has this piece from inside the courtroom.