Man charged with Garda Donohoe murder
Widowed wife appears at night hearing after accused re-arrested
A MAN was charged last night with the chilling murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe more than five years ago.
Aaron Brady, 27, was brought before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court last night accused of the murder of the father-of-two at Lordship Credit Union, Co. Louth, on January 25, 2013.
In court to witness proceedings was Detective Donohoe’s widowed wife, Caroline. She sat beside detectives for the short hearing.
Mr Brady, wearing blue jeans, a grey shirt, red jacket and red runners, was led into the packed courtroom at 8.30pm.
Detective Inspector Patrick Marry told the court Mr Brady was re-arrested immediately after he was released from Garda custody just before 7pm last night. He was then charged at Dundalk Garda station at 8.05pm.
Inspector Marry said that when he was charged, Mr Brady replied: ‘I strongly deny any involvement in the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.’
Mrs Donohoe shook hands and thanked detectives after Mr Brady was taken from court.
US Homeland Security officers, who were in Ireland assisting with the investigation, were also in court last night.
Mr Brady was charged with the murder of a garda in the course of duty under Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1990.
Mr Brady, of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh, sat listening to Detective Inspector Marry, who told the court how the accused was arrested yesterday evening.
Mr Brady’s barrister, Conan Fegan BL, asked Detective Inspec tor Marry what time his client was released from detention, and where he was between the time he was re-arrested and then charged with the murder.
Detective Inspector Marry said he was released and was immediately re-arrested at 6.57pm last night.
Detective Inspector Marry told the court that Mr Brady was held in a Garda cell while a new custody record was filled out and he was brought to court. He said this was normal practice.
Mr Fegan then put it to Detective Inspector Marry that there was no DNA evidence but the prosecution barrister Fergus Mullen interrupted him.
Detective Inspector Marry said that the hearing was to arrest, charge and caution and it was not to examine the investigation. Judge John Coughlan agreed.
As the accused was taken from Co. Louth court, a crowd of people congregated at the back of the court to watch him taken away by gardaí.
Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead while responding to an armed raid at Lordship credit union five years ago.
Mr Brady was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court via video link next week on Friday, March 9.
Under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1990, murdering a garda carries a minimum sentence of 40 years.
Meanwhile, a second man who was arrested in connection with the murder was released on Saturday night without charge.
The man is in his 60s and a file on his case is being prepared for the DPP.
This suspect was arrested in Dundalk, Co. Louth, last Monday and was taken to Balbriggan Garda station in north Co. Dublin.
He was held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, which allows for detention of up to seven days.
Will appear again via video link