James Flynn faces fresh trial over credit union robbery getaway car after Court of Appeal quashes conviction
On 25 January 2013, Aaron Brady shot and killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, and James Flynn, a 34-year-old man from Newry, Co Down, was later found guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat used as the getaway car from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth. Flynn had been in custody since July 2021 after Irish authorities brought extradition proceedings against him in the UK, and the Special Criminal Court had acquitted him of the robbery charge but found him guilty of the conspiracy count, sentencing him to eight years. In April 2025, the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction, ruling that the post-trial amendment of the indictment was unlawful, and the DPP sought a retrial on the original count. Ms Justice Burns said 12 years was not an inordinate delay, and Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Flynn in custody pending a bail hearing on 28 April.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Aaron Brady shot and killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe during the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013.
- James Flynn was found guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat used as the getaway car from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth.
- Where
- James Flynn has an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down.
- When
- Flynn has been in custody since July 2021 when Irish authorities brought extradition proceedings against him in the UK.
- Charges
- Flynn was charged with conspiracy to steal cars at various locations in the northeast and with participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union.
- In court
- The Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge but amended the conspiracy indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat.
- The Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction in April 2025, ruling that the post-trial amendment of the indictment was unlawful.
- The DPP sought a retrial on the original count, and Ms Justice Burns said 12 years was not an inordinate amount of time for a retrial.
- Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Flynn in custody pending a bail hearing on 28 April 2025.
- Sentence
- Flynn was sentenced to eight years in prison, backdated to reflect his time in custody.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJames Flynn successfully appealed his conviction for conspiring to steal the getaway car used in a credit union robbery. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAaron Brady shot and killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe during the robbery. (irishtimes.com)
- whereJames Flynn has an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe getaway car was stolen from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth, in January 2013. (irishtimes.com)
- whenFlynn has been in custody since July 2021 when Irish authorities brought extradition proceedings against him in the UK. (irishtimes.com)
- whenFlynn had spent almost four years in custody at the time of the appeal decision. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFlynn was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars at various locations in the northeast. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFlynn was charged with participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge but amended the conspiracy indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP sought a retrial on the original count on the indictment. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Burns said 12 years was not an inordinate amount of time for a retrial. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Flynn in custody for a bail hearing on 28 April. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceFlynn was sentenced to eight years in prison, backdated to reflect his time in custody. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Apr2025Man faces fresh trial over credit union robbery getaway car after appeal court overturned conviction
Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction for the unlawful post-trial amendment of the indictment and ordered a retrial; Flynn remanded in custody pending bail hearing on 28 April.
accused, James Flynn, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnsuspect, Aaron Brady, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Bradyvictim, Adrian Donohoe, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoe