Jonathan Dowdall will get witness protection despite lying in court during the Regency Hotel murder trial.
The former Sinn Fein councillor was the State's key witness during the trial and subsequent acquittal of Gerry the Monk Hutch.
The judges at the Special Criminal Court largely rejected Dowdalls evidence and cited his pattern of lying and alternate character modes.
Despite this, he has been accepted into the witness protection programme.
The Irish Times reports the decision was made well before the not guilty Hutch verdict was delivered and some logistical matters remain to be worked out.
Its believed once he is released from prison - Dowdall will most likely be relocated abroad to an English speaking country where he will start his new life.
Meanwhile Gerry Hutch remains in Dublin for now with some papers showing photos of him with his beard and long hair now cut.
