The son of the Monk has been extradited from Spain to Ireland on the new Government Jet. 

It is the second time in just a few weeks that the plane has been dispatched to foreign shores to bring back a man accused of involvement in organised crime. 

In August, it was Daniel Kinahan and yesterday it was 37-year-old Jason Murphy, who is also known as Jason Hutch and has an address in the genteel Dublin suburb of Clontarf. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Court Reporter Tom Tuite said Mr Murphy's journey back to Ireland had been “long” and complex. 

“He'd been arrested in April following a fairly comprehensive investigation by the Guard of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation,” he explained. 

“After a European arrest warrant was issued earlier this year, he was remanded in custody in Spain by the Spanish authorities and eventually then, he was sent back yesterday.

“Now, he arrived at Baldonnel and on touchdown, he was met by Gardaí again; he was charged shortly afterwards at Clondalkin Garda station. 

“The offence put to him is under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act and this is for facilitating organised crime. 

“It's anti-gangland legislation, which in conviction can carry a sentence of up to 15 years.”

Armed Gardaí at the Central Criminal Court. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

Mr Murphy appeared before Dublin District Court without legal representation, a situation likely explained by the ongoing solicitor strike over reforms to legal aid. 

Despite this, he informed the court that he knew of a Dublin firm from whom he hopes to secure legal representation. 

“Now, the offence itself is, it says that it alleges, and he hasn't entered a plea at this stage and we also don't know the exact trial venue, whether it'll be the Circuit Court or the Special Criminal Court,” he said. 

“That'll be outlined at the later stages in the proceedings, but he is accused of participating or contributing to the activities or commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation.

“Notably, this is alleged to have happened between April 2016 and September 2021 while he resided in Lanzarote. 

“So, it's alleged he was working [outside] the State for offences here; we heard evidence that he made no reply when charged.”

Garda cars leaving the Central Criminal Court. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

Given the seriousness of the charges against Mr Murphy, the District Court did not have the authority to grant bail and he was remanded in custody. 

“He'll appear again in court on Thursday via video link,” Mr Tuite added. 

“He interacted briefly with the judge; this was to say he understood this aspect of the case, particularly that he was going to be remanded in custody and why he had to be remanded in custody straight away.

“And also did to engage a little bit about the issue of legal representation. 

“After that, he was taken from the courtroom to the custody area to await transfer to prison.”

Main image: The new Government Jet. Picture by: Collins Courts/Air Corps.