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Garda murderer Brady's 'contempt' for trial with secret recording lands him with increased sentence

Date
2026-07-31
Stage
Appeal
Court
Court of Appeal
Primary locality
Louth
County
Louth

Summary

The Court of Appeal has increased Aaron Brady's sentence for perverting the course of justice from three years to five years following a successful appeal by the State. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy described the offending as an "affront to the administration of justice," noting it was pre-meditated and insidious. Brady, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of video-recording a witness interview with Ronan Flynn and conspiring with Dean Byrne to persuade witness Daniel Cahill not to testify. The court found the original sentence unduly lenient, failing to adequately weight general deterrence. Although the new five-year term will not alter Brady's effective custody due to his existing life sentence, the ruling establishes a significant precedent. Dean Byrne, who was found guilty of conspiring with Brady to interfere with witness Cahill, was sentenced to two years. Byrne's conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal, but he is currently challenging that decision before the Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear his case on a question of public importance regarding the lawfulness of persuading witnesses not to give evidence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda murderer Brady's 'contempt' for trial with secret recording lands him with increased sentence. Charges or matters: a charge that on a date between February 20 and May 7, 2020, within the State, he video-recorded the playing of a witness interview between Ronan Flynn and members of An Garda Siochana, thus embarking on a course of conduct intended to pervert the course of justice. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty; Convicted

When:

Why: She said the offending showed "contempt for the trial process", noting that the public consequences of an unsuccessful prosecution, because of the absence of witnesses, in a case of such gravity is more significant that it would for a more minor offence. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Aaron Brady

Background Person

Charges: a charge that on a date between February 20 and May 7, 2020, within the State, he video-recorded the playing of a witness interview between Ronan Flynn and members of An Garda Siochana, thus embarking on a course of conduct intended to pervert the course of justice (Proven)

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Photo: Collins) Garda killer Aaron Brady, who showed "contempt" for his capital murder trial by secretly recording a garda interview with a potentially key witness, has had his three-year sentence increased following a successful appeal by the State. Brady was sentenced to three years in prison by the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Dean Byrne

Convicted Person

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Brady was sentenced to three years in prison by the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court. Byrne, who has over 120 convictions, was sentenced to two years for the offence.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Court of Appeal
  • Special Criminal Court
  • Supreme Court
  • The Supreme Court
Residence
Secondary Mention
Facility

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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