Former Sinn Fein Councillor Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick have pleaded guilty today to their roles in the Regency Hotel shooting of David Byrne.

The pleas come days before Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch goes on trial for murder in the Special Criminal Court in a trial expected to last a number of months.

So who is Jonathan Dowdall and how did he end up in the dock for one of the most notorious crimes in gangland history?

Today, in the first of our Crime World specials about the Regency Hotel trials, I'm talking with Sunday World Deputy Editor Niall Donald about the sensational developments today at the Special Criminal Court.

Crime World, with Nicola Tallant, is a weekly Iri…

Crime World

Episode 157: How Jonathan Dowdall ended up in the dock for one of the most notorious crimes in gangland history

Shots fired at the home of former McCarthy-Dundon criminal Jimmy Collins have sparked fears of a new feud erupting in Limerick. 

Last week, a gunman opened fire on the home on Limerick's Hyde Road following a series of tit -for-tat incidents. It comes as Jimmy Collins, son in law of convicted rapist Thomas O'Neill, is said to have had a falling out with a rival drug dealing faction. 

Niall Donald speaks to to Eamon Dillon about the rising tensions in Limerick and how it is being played out on the streets and on social media.  

Episode 397: Gunman opens fire at home of former McCarthy-Dundon criminal Jimmy Collins 

Children are being radicalised by drug gangs and being turned into killers in the same way that terrorists have, and now the EU wants to develop an early-warning system for countries to recognise the process.

The tsunami of cocaine, which is still coming for the block and which has changed the whole face of organised crime is to blame for the shocking societal changes being recognised by the European think thank.

The warnings come at the same time the Maersk shipping company have said its entire industry is under threat from cocaine cartels determined to ship their cargoes across the Atlantic.

Nicola speaks with Niall Donald about the evolution of organised crime into the biggest threat along with terrorism that we are now facing.

Episode 396: How Europe's drug cartels are turning kids into 'child soldiers'

He’s the UK’s number-one true crime author who made his name from his conversations with serial killers.

But what made former Royal Marine Christopher Berry-Dee want to get up close and personal with the world’s most depraved.?

From Aileen Wournos to the 'Monster of the Rivers' Arthur Shawcross, he has delved deep into the crimes and minds of psychopaths.

In an interview with Crime World, Berry-Dee explains what drew him to the dark world of more than 30 serial killers and why their shocking stories continue to fascinate the public.

Episode 157: How Jonathan Dowdall ended up in the dock for one of the most notorious crimes in gangland history

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