Former garda sergeant warns that play based on Gerry Hutch could reopen wounds of victims

Olivia Kelleher

A former garda sergeant has warned that a play based on Gerry Hutch could be a jarring experience and cause emotional difficulties for innocent victims of organised crime.

'The Monk' is written, produced and performed by Rex Ryan, son of the late RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan.

It tells the story of Hutch’s trial at the Special Criminal Court three years ago, when the 62-year-old was found not guilty of the murder of David Byrne.

Byrne (33) was a criminal associated with the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.

The three-judge non-jury court concluded there was not enough evidence to convict Hutch. However, they agreed he was in control of the guns used in the shooting - even if he was not involved in the murder itself.

In an interview with The Claire Byrne Show on Newstalk, former Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan warned of the dangers of forgetting the criminal past of Hutch.

“I was reading the summation when he sought costs in the Special Criminal Court and it was Justice Tara Burns, along with other judges there, where they refused his costs.

“They said about Mr Hutch that, while the court rejected the prosecution case that Mr Hutch was one of the shooters in the Regency attack, the court was satisfied he was recognised as a figurehead and patriarchal figure of the Hutch Organised Crime - an organisation which the court was found responsible for and orchestrated the attack.

Galligan said that he was finding it “very difficult” and could only imagine what the innocent victims of the Hutch killing feud feel to see that he has a play written about him.

“It's a form of self-promotion to say that he's going to go to Dáil Éireann and then challenge ministers who tell lies. Now that coming from Gerry Hutch is a bit of a gut-wrenching thing to say but I find it very, very difficult.”

Hutch narrowly lost out on a Dublin Central seat in the 2024 general election.

Last week, he confirmed he will stand in the forthcoming Dublin by-election in the Dublin Central constituency.

The by-election is due to be held on May 22nd.

“The Monk” is currently being staged at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin.

The controversial crime figure made a surprise appearance on stage on the opening night on Monday.

Hutch took part in a fictional live question-and-answer session with Rex Ryan.

Ryan has insisted that the play doesn’t “glorify” Hutch.