Court hears that witness in Brady case was ‘threatened’

A WITNESS who told gardaí that he had heard Aaron Brady admit to killing Det Gda Adrian Donohoe, was warned he would be ‘dealt with’ if he set foot in Ireland and his family would ‘get it’ if he gave evidence at Brady’s murder trial, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

Det Inspector Mark Phillips yesterday told the court that people who had spoken to gardaí investigating Det Gda Donohoe’s murder were concerned for their safety or the safety of their families. One witness said he feared he would be killed if he testified in court.

Det Insp Phillips said ten witnesses who made statements to gardaí did not come to court to give evidence during Brady’s murder trial in 2020. Some of those witnesses complained about being directly or indirectly threatened or hassled by associates of Brady, right, the detective said.

Det Insp Phillips was giving evidence at the trial of Dean Byrne, 30, from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin. Mr Byrne is on trial having pleaded not guilty to conspiring to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence at Brady’s trial in order to pervert the course of justice between April 8, 2020, and June 22, 2020.

Daniel Cahill told Det Insp Phillips that he had been approached in the street in New York by an associate of Brady’s. Mr Cahill did not tell the man that he had spoken to gardaí and went on to give evidence at Brady’s trial of having heard Brady admit to the murder on three occasions.

Det Insp Phillips said that another one of those witnesses, Ronan Flynn, told gardaí that he heard Brady admit to killing Det Gda Donohoe on multiple occasions while they were living together in the US.

Mr Flynn also confirmed to gardaí that US citizen Molly Staunton was present when Brady admitted to the murder. Ms Staunton was one of just two people who testified to hearing Brady admit to the murder.

Mr Byrne’s trial continues.