Courts / Louth / Report

UK company helped gardai with reconstruction in Adrian Donohoe investigation

Date
2020-05-26

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Clogherhead

County
Louth

Summary

The trial of Aaron Brady, 28, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, continued at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury. Brady has pleaded not guilty to the alleged capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was on active duty, and to a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques. Both alleged offences are said to have occurred on January 25, 2013, at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. Prosecution counsel Lorcan Staines SC called Matt Cass of Acuity Forensics, who testified via video link that his company specialises in impartial image analysis and vehicle identification. Cass explained that his colleague, Andy Wooller, conducted a "blind analysis" of CCTV footage from the night of the shooting and from two nights prior, without receiving background information from gardai to prevent bias. Wooller identified potential vehicles, including BMW 5-Series models, Volkswagen Passats, and a Peugeot 508. Detective Garda Garreth Kenna presented original CCTV footage alongside reconstructed versions using these identified vehicles to assist the jury in comparison. The prosecution alleges a Volkswagen Passat used in the robbery was stolen from Clogherhead, Co Louth, prior to the incident. The matter remains at the trial stage and continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: UK company helped gardai with reconstruction in Adrian Donohoe investigation. Charges or matters: the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty 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:

January 25, 2013 Other
October 2017 Other
January 23 Hearing Or Sentence
January 25 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-05-26 Publication

Case subjects

Aaron Brady

Defendant

Charges: the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty 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