Courts / Armagh / Report

Aaron Brady wore garda shooting like 'badge of honour', prosecution tell jury

Date
2020-07-24

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Armagh

County
Armagh

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Aaron Brady, 29, used the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe as a badge of honour after moving to America, believing he was beyond the law. They described Brady as a skilled liar who repeatedly told false statements to Gardaí and the jury, claiming he was a victim of a Garda campaign. Brady's defence was that he was under financial pressure and that the robbery at Lordship Credit Union was a base criminal motive. The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, including CCTV of a stolen Volkswagen Passat and alleged phone inactivity, to link Brady to the crime. They also highlighted Brady's alleged statements to witnesses and his alibi. The case centred on proving that Brady shot Donohoe knowing he was a Garda, with the prosecution presenting forensic and witness testimony to support this claim. Aaron Brady pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Aaron Brady wore garda shooting like 'badge of honour', prosecution tell jury. 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
January 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2013 Incident
September 2019 Incident
Christmas 2012 Other
2020-07-24 Publication

Why: Mr Cahill, who said he heard Mr Brady admit to shooting a garda on three occasions, would have to have done so out of personal animus or because he was under threat from Homeland Security, Mr Staines said. CNI source report

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