The Irish lawbreaker, Gerry Hutch, alongside a number of other individuals suspected of criminal activities, were set to be brought before a court on the Spanish island of Lanzarote this past Friday, as a result of extensive legal scrutiny into supposed money laundering allegations.
A 61-year-old Hutch was among several detained individuals in Lanzarote on the prior Wednesday, coinciding with 10 police searches executed by Guardia Civil. The Dublin-based home of Hutch in Clontarf was searched on the same day, a move triggered by the request from Spanish law enforcement authorities.
Security insiders claimed that Hutch was likely going to be one among up to ten suspects presented in court, with an expectation of impending court proceedings in Arecife. Two suspects were identified as Irish nationals, including Gerry Hutch and a close Dublin associate, while the remaining individuals are believed to be Spanish and possibly British.
The two-year-long criminal investigation, driven by judicial mandate, is heavily influenced by court proceedings. A gag order, imposed by the Lanzarote court, restricts the level of public comment permissible by the Guardia Civil in relation to the inquiry. The same gag ruling may also be applicable, either entirely or partially, to the case when the suspects face the court on Friday.
Hutch’s long-standing connections to Lanzarote, including his semi-retirement on the island while still maintaining frequent visits to Dublin, have been highlighted. Spanish authorities are delving into allegations of money laundering efforts on the island through investments in or purchases of local businesses, as well as property acquisitions, where Hutch owns a residence. This investigation gave rise to a series of searches executed in 2022, supplemented by additional searches this week.
The Guardia Civil operation received support from members of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation who were present in Lanzarote last Wednesday. Simultaneously, at least one Spanish officer was present in Dublin during the search of Hutch’s residence.
The Dublin-based task force received backing from the Bureau of Criminal Assets (Cab) and the Emergency Response squad. The simultaneous search operations in Ireland and Spain were the newest stages in an ongoing investigation into organised crime.
In evidence presented by Cab to the High Court during the year 2019, in relation to the case against gang boss, Liam Byrne, Mr. Hutch was established as the head of “The Hutch” criminal network operating in Dublin. Furthermore, the same evidence pointed him out as the principal actor on one side of the Kinahan-Hutch dispute, opposed by Byrne, Daniel Kinahan, and Freddie Thompson.
Mr. Hutch’s connection to numerous armed thefts during the 1980s and the 1990s, amounting to millions, is well established. After a near £2 million judgement, he had reached a settlement with Cab.
In 2021, Hutch was detained in Fuengirola for extradition to Ireland under charges for the assassination of David Byrne (34), which took place at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in early 2016. Nevertheless, last year the Special Criminal Court dismissed his charges and since then he has spent his time split between Dublin and Lanzarote.