Courts / Louth / Report
Garda killer Aaron Brady admits to perverting course of justice with 'tout' video
Summary
Aaron Brady, who was convicted in 2020 of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to perverting the course of justice. He admitted to recording footage of an interview between gardai and witness Ronan Flynn, which was subsequently posted online accusing Flynn of "touting." Brady did not enter a plea to a further count of conspiring with Dean Byrne to persuade a State witness not to testify, though prosecution counsel argued this should be considered at sentencing. Dean Byrne, 30, from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, remains on trial for the conspiracy charge. Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned sentencing to May 29. The court refused an application by Brady's lawyers to ban media reporting of the guilty plea, rejecting arguments that coverage could prejudice a potential retrial if Brady's murder conviction is overturned on appeal. The judge noted that a retrial is merely a possibility and that any prejudice could be remedied by judicial directions to the jury. Brady, 33, formerly of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for the 2013 murder. He appealed his conviction last November and is awaiting a decision from the Court of Appeal.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda killer Aaron Brady admits to perverting course of justice with 'tout' video. Charges or matters: perverting the course of justice during his murder trial in 2020; a further count of conspiring with Dean Byrne to persuade a State witness not to testify at the same trial. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- February 20 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 7, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 29 Adjournment
- April 8, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 22, 2020 Other
- January 25, 2013 Other
- 2024-04-11 Publication
Why: Mr Byrne (30) from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin is accused of conspiring to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence in order to pervert the course of justice between April 8, 2020, and June 22, 2020. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: perverting the course of justice during his murder trial in 2020; a further count of conspiring with Dean Byrne to persuade a State witness not to testify at the same trial (Proven)
Plea: Guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Following the arraignment, presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned sentencing to May 29 and refused an application from Brady's lawyers to prevent the media reporting Brady's guilty plea.
Defendant
Outcome: Following the arraignment, presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned sentencing to May 29 and refused an application from Brady's lawyers to prevent the media reporting Brady's guilty plea.
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Cabra Park
- Dublin
- New Road
- Crossmaglen
- Armagh
- Lordship Credit Union
Topics
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