Courts / Louth / Report

'The boys are gone, you will never get them', gardai investigating Adrian Donohoe murder were told

Date
2022-11-04

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Louth

County
Louth

Summary

The Special Criminal Court has refused bail to James Flynn, who is accused of the 2013 Lordship Credit Union robbery in which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was murdered. Ms Justice Tara Burns, delivering the ruling of a three-judge court, determined that Flynn is a significant flight risk, noting he left the jurisdiction shortly after the alleged crime and has resided in the US, UK, and Northern Ireland since. The court cited "very concerning evidence" regarding an incident where gardai travelled to Boston for an interview with Flynn, only to be met by his father, who allegedly stated, "the boys are gone, you will never get them." The judge emphasized that while the case against Flynn is circumstantial, the prosecution's evidence is strong enough to suggest a potential for conviction. Flynn, who holds US and UK passports, was extradited from the UK after his appeal against extradition was dismissed. He faces charges of robbery and conspiracy to steal vehicle keys. Aaron Brady, who was convicted of murdering Det Gda Donohoe by an 11-to-1 jury verdict in August 2020, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years, plus a concurrent 14-year sentence for the robbery. Flynn's trial is scheduled for January next year, alongside co-accused Brendan Treanor, who was also refused bail in 2022.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'The boys are gone, you will never get them', gardai investigating Adrian Donohoe murder were told. Charges or matters: murdering Det Gda Donohoe in August 2020; the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in August 2020. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

January 25, 2013 Other
September 11, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
January 23, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
August 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
April 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
January 25 Incident
December 2013 Incident
May 2021 Other
June 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
2022-11-04 Publication

Case subjects

Aaron Brady

Appellant

Charges: murdering Det Gda Donohoe in August 2020; the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in August 2020 (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Brady was also sentenced to 14 years for the credit union robbery – a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence.

James Flynn

Defendant

Charges: murdering Det Gda Donohoe in August 2020; the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in August 2020 (Alleged Or Contested)

Northern Ireland

Convicted Person

Charges: murdering Det Gda Donohoe in August 2020; the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in August 2020 (Alleged Or Contested)