Case No. 2131Conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle · Co. Louth · 25 Jan 2013
James Flynn's conviction for conspiring to steal getaway car in Donohoe murder robbery overturned by Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction of James Flynn, 34, who had been jailed for eight years for conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat getaway car used in the January 2013 robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, during which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead by Aaron Brady. The appeal court found the Special Criminal Court breached Flynn's right to natural justice by amending the indictment after his trial had concluded without consulting either legal team.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Mar
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAaron Brady shot and killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe during the robbery (irishtimes.com)
- whatDetective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead during the robbery by Aaron Brady. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereFlynn has an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe Volkswagen Passat was stolen from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe robbery took place at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe robbery took place on January 25, 2013 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe amended charge covered the period between January 22 and 23, 2013 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe robbery occurred on 25 January 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution relied on mobile phone evidence alleging Flynn's phones pinged off masts near homes where cars were stolen in 2012 and 2013 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe prosecution relied on mobile phone evidence showing Flynn's phones pinged off masts adjacent to homes where cars were stolen in 2012 and 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe court found Flynn conspired with two others to steal the Passat based on CCTV footage showing his BMW 5-series acting suspiciously near the theft location. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeFlynn was charged with participation in a robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFlynn was originally charged with a wider conspiracy to steal cars at various locations in the North East. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charges but amended the indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court found beyond reasonable doubt that Flynn was an active member of the gang that carried out the robbery (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overturned Flynn's conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Special Criminal Court amended the indictment after the three-month trial had finished without consulting the prosecution or defence. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Tara Burns described the amendment as a 'very unusual occurrence'. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charges but amended the indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the VW Passat from Clogherhead, Co Louth in January 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal will hear from the parties on 18 March 2025 on whether Flynn should face a retrial. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Hunt said the prosecution failed to prove the cell sites referred to were the same ones through which Flynn's calls had been made. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBernard Condon SC argued the amendment was made while the court was acting in its capacity as a jury and the defence was not offered an opportunity to argue about it. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceFlynn was jailed for eight years for conspiring to steal the getaway car (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceFlynn was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFlynn was extradited from the UK in April 2022 to face trial. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFlynn holds both a UK and a United States passport but not an Irish one. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBefore extradition, Flynn was in a position to offer over £1 million in sureties at Westminster Magistrates Court. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Mar2025Conviction related to robbery that led to Gda Adrian Donohoe's death overturned
Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction on the basis that the Special Criminal Court's post-trial amendment of the indictment breached his constitutional right to natural justice; the court will hear arguments on 18 March 2025 on whether a retrial should take place.
accused, James Flynn, 34, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)James Flynnvictim, Adrian Donohoe, male, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoesuspect, Aaron Brady, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Brady - 10 Mar2025Man’s conviction over getaway car used in robbery that led to detective’s murder overturned
Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction, finding the post-trial amendment of the indictment was a breach of constitutional natural justice. The court will hear arguments next Tuesday on whether Flynn should face a retrial.
accused, James Flynn, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnvictim, Adrian Donohoe, male, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoesuspect, Aaron Brady, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Brady