Courts / Armagh / Report

Judge apologises to jury for delays in Garda Adrian Donohoe trial

Summary

In a trial that began in January, Mr Justice Michael White apologized to a jury of six men and seven women for delays caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic and other legal matters. He explained that the jury need not attend until 8 June, while the court addressed issues in their absence, and that the trial is expected to continue until the end of June, though he noted it is hard to predict. Mr White also informed the jury that witnesses from America would testify, with court sittings scheduled at 2 pm to accommodate the time difference. The case concerns Aaron Brady, 28, who has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery charge involving approximately €7,000. The jury heard testimony from a female witness who observed Brady on the day of the shooting and from Sgt John Barnes, who described a search of Brady's home. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge apologises to jury for delays in Garda Adrian Donohoe trial. 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:

• June 8 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 25, 2013 Other
• January 25 Other
• April 8, 2013 Other
• January 26, 2013 Other
• 2020-05-29 Publication

Why: " The judge also told the jury that the next phase of the trial involves witnesses giving evidence from America but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been problems in setting that up. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime

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• Criminal who conspired with garda murderer over trial witness loses appeal
• Violent criminal claims he had 'benign' motive for attempted witness interference in garda killer's trial
• Garda killer Brady gets three more years for conspiring to pervert justice

Read the original CNI report