Thomas ‘Nicky’ McConnell | Irish Independent

Mr Justice Alexander Owens, presiding at the three-judge, non-jury court, said the evidence showed, beyond reasonable doubt, that McConnell was the second assassin along with Jonathan Keogh who followed Gareth Hutch from his home and shot him dead.

The court found that Keogh’s gun discharged a number of bullets at close range that caused the injuries which killed Mr Hutch. McConnell’s gun was later found to have the safety catch on and did not fire any rounds during the assassination.

However, the court found that even if McConnell deliberately left the safety catch on, his other actions in preparation for the shooting showed that he was part of a common design with Keogh and others to commit murder and his actions were intended to result in Mr Hutch’s death.

McConnell did not react when Mr Justice Owens revealed the court’s verdict. Wearing a white shirt and blue tie, he sat impassively while the judge went over the evidence that led to the verdict.

McConnell (38) of Sillogue Gardens,…