Courts / Armagh / Report

Adrian Donohoe accused deported from US in 2017, trial hears

Date
2020-02-20
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Armagh
County
Armagh

Summary

The trial of Aaron Brady, accused of the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and robbing approximately €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013, continued before Mr Justice Michael White. Mr Brady, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Detective Inspector Mark Phillips of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation testified regarding the investigation, noting that Mr Brady was deported from the US in 2017 after pleading guilty to criminal damage, unlawful taking of a car, and dangerous driving. The jury heard that police did not search a yard in Armagh where Mr Brady claimed to have been laundering diesel on the night of the shooting, a decision attributed to the Senior Investigating Officer. Mr Phillips stated that Mr Brady was initially a witness and that his alibi placing him at Lough Road was corroborated by three individuals. The prosecution highlighted the scale of the investigation, citing one million pages of materials, 40,000 hours of CCTV, and over 3,000 statements. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins questioned the timing of additional evidence notices. The trial is ongoing, with the matter adjourned.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Adrian Donohoe accused deported from US in 2017, trial hears. Charges or matters: criminal damage, unlawful taking of a car and dangerous driving five years earlier; the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty shortly before 9.30pm on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth; a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: Inspector Phillips told Mr Grehan, for the prosecution, that he did not investigate the site further because in 2013, Mr Brady said he was at the yard for ten to 15 minutes some time between 20. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Aaron Brady

Defendant

Charges: criminal damage, unlawful taking of a car and dangerous driving five years earlier; the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty shortly before 9.30pm on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth; a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Adrian Donohoe

Accused

Charges: criminal damage, unlawful taking of a car and dangerous driving five years earlier; the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty shortly before 9.30pm on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth; a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Mark Phillips

Accused

Charges: criminal damage, unlawful taking of a car and dangerous driving five years earlier; the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty shortly before 9.30pm on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth; a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

National Bureau

Accused

Charges: criminal damage, unlawful taking of a car and dangerous driving five years earlier; the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty shortly before 9.30pm on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth; a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Residence
Facility
  • Lordship Credit Union
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Concession Road
  • Lough Road
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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