The trial of Gerard Hutch - the man known as 'The Monk' - and two other men in connection with the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin more than six years ago is expected to begin next week.
59-year-old Mr Hutch of the Paddocks, Clontarf in Dublin has been charged with murder, while 50-year-old Jason Bonney of Drumnigh Wood, and 59-year-old Paul Murphy from Cabra Road are accused of helping a criminal gang by providing it with access to motor vehicles.
The court was told today that Mr Hutch was anxious that the trial proceed.
Mr Hutch was brought under armed escort to the Special Criminal Court today.
He is accused of the murder of David Byrne who was shot dead at the Regency Hotel in Dublin on 5 February 2016. The murder escalated the ongoing Hutch-Kinahan feud, which has resulted in 18 people being shot dead.
Senior Counsel for the prosecution Sean Gillane told the court today that a significant amount of work had been put into gathering new information and evidence to be disclosed to the defence and that only a relatively small amount remained outstanding.
The new evidence arose from the decision of the former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall to testify in the forthcoming trial. He made a statement to gardaí two weeks ago and the murder charge against him was subsequently dropped.
Both he and his father Patrick admitted helping a criminal gang by booking a room at the Regency Hotel the day before the murder.
They are due to be sentenced next Monday.
Defence counsel Brendan Grehan told the court that he believed the trial could begin next week and the newer evidence could be dealt with later in the proceedings, while other matters could progress.
Mr Grehan also told the court that he could not say how long the case would last, but said if it did not finish by Christmas, he could not see it running past January.
There was tight security and an armed garda presence in and around the Criminal Courts Of Justice for the proceedings.
Ms Justice Tara Burns granted Mr Hutch's legal team permission to consult with him in the environs of the court for as long as is necessary today, and adjourned the trial to begin next Tuesday week.
