Brady convicted of robbery that led to detective’s fatal shooting
A MAN has been found guilty of involvement in the robbery that led to Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe being shot dead.
The jury will continue deliberations today on a charge of capital murder, which the accused, Aaron Brady, denies. At 1.33pm yesterday, after 12 hours and 35 minutes considering the verdict since last Wednesday, the jury foreman announced that they had reached a unanimous verdict that Mr Brady was guilty of robbery. Judge Michael White asked the jurors to return to the Central Criminal Court today and said he will accept a majority verdict in relation to the capital murder charge if at least ten of them agree.
Mr Brady, 29, of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh, had denied involvement in the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co. Louth, on January 25, 2013. He has also pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe at the same location, during the robbery.
During the trial, the jury heard that four men jumped over a wall surrounding the credit union car park as employees prepared to leave with the day’s takings from several rural credit unions.
The prosecution has alleged Mr Brady was the gunman who fired a single shot that killed the detective. Mr Brady told the trial he was at a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road in south Armagh when the robbery took place.
The judge has previously told the trial that there are several possible verdicts in relation to the capital murder charge.
If they are satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Brady was the gunman, for capital murder it must also be proven that he knew he was shooting a member of An Garda Síochána acting in accordance with his duty or was reckless as to whether it was a garda.
If they accept that he was the shooter but are not satisfied that capital murder is proven they can find him guilty of murder or guilty of manslaughter.
Manslaughter, the judge said, is an unlawful killing where the accused person did not intend to kill or cause serious injury. The defence raised the possibility of manslaughter on the grounds that the shooter may have been attempting to fire a warning shot.
Several possible verdicts for jury