The Kinahans want to be the 'biggest gang' in Europe, Gerry Hutch told Jonathan Dowdall in a secretly recorded conversation. 

The conversation was recorded a few weeks after the Regency Hotel attack and is being played in Mr Hutch’s trial for the murder of David Byrne, who was shot dead during a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel in Dublin in 2016.

Mr Hutch denies murdering David Byrne. 

The prosecution claims it took place as former Sinn Féin councillor, Jonathan Dowdall, drove Gerry Hutch to and from a meeting in Northern Ireland with his Republican contacts.

Mr Dowdall’s jeep was under Garda surveillance and today, the judges heard the secretly recorded conversation between them as they made their way home.

During a general chat about the Kinahans, Mr Dowdall suggested they became blinded by greed but Mr Hutch replied by saying it was not just about the money.

“It’s about power as well. They want to be the biggest gang in Europe,” he said.

Mr Hutch raised concerns that the Republicans were going to play both sides, but Dowdall tried to assure him they wouldn’t.

Before they went their separate ways, Mr Dowdall asked Mr Hutch to text him when he got home – just to make sure he was alright.

Main image: The Special Criminal Court. Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie