Gerard Hutch, widely referred to as ‘the Monk’, is set to appear in a Spanish court later this morning regarding allegations of money laundering.The 61-year-old is among nine individuals anticipated to face a judge in Lanzarote.
Included in this group are a close relative of Mr. Hutch and a solicitor who has represented him.They were detained two days ago as part of a collaborative probe involving the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the Guardia Civil, which is taking the lead in the investigation.
Evidence obtained from the Garda’s search of Hutch’s Clontarf residence earlier this week, comprising electronic devices and documents, is being submitted to Spanish authorities.
A Guardia Civil officer was present during the evidence search, while officials from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation accompanied Spanish police on searches conducted in Spain.
The Guardia Civil executed a total of ten searches.
The investigation into money laundering activities associated with the Hutch Organised Crime Group spans over two years.
This inquiry has concentrated on the transfer of large sums of money and the acquisition of multiple properties in Spain.
The search at Gerard Hutch’s Clontarf home was initiated following an international request for mutual assistance from Spanish authorities.
Since his release from custody in April last year, after being acquitted of the murder of David Byrne by the Special Criminal Court, Hutch has frequently traveled between Spain and Ireland.
He owns a residence in Lanzarote, where his close relative, also appearing in court today, has resided for at least the last two years.
Out of the nine individuals scheduled to face the courts today, two are Irish, while the others represent various nationalities, with some believed to be English.
They are expected to appear before a court in Arecife, Lanzarote, and the hearings may be lengthy, as each individual might be presented before the judge one at a time.
Gardaí indicate that this operation is part of ongoing collaboration between the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Guardia Civil in Spain, aimed at dismantling a Transnational Organised Crime Group operating from both Ireland and Spain.
A prior search targeting this criminal group was conducted in Lanzarote in June 2022 by the Guardia Civil on behalf of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
