Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6883Conspiracy to steal · Co. Louth · 22 Jan 2013

Man jailed for eight years over conspiracy to steal getaway car used in Lordship Credit Union robbery

On January 25, 2013, a detective garda, Det Gda Adrian Donohoe, was shot dead during a robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth. James Flynn (32), with an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down, had conspired on January 22/23, 2013 to steal the Volkswagen Passat used as the getaway car, and he fled Ireland shortly after the robbery. He was held in the UK from July 15, 2021 pending extradition, which took place in April 2022, and in September he was acquitted of participating in the robbery. On December 21, 2023, the Special Criminal Court jailed him for eight years for conspiracy to steal, backdated to July 15, 2021.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Flynn conspired to steal the Volkswagen Passat used as the getaway car in the Lordship Credit Union robbery, during which a detective garda was shot dead.
Where
  • The Passat was to be stolen from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth.
  • The robbery of €7,000 took place at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth.
When
  • The conspiracy to steal the Passat took place on January 22/23, 2013.
  • The robbery took place on January 25, 2013.
Other details
  • Flynn fled Ireland shortly after the robbery and was held in the UK pending extradition from July 15, 2021.
  • Flynn was extradited from the UK in April 2022 to face trial.
  • The court found Flynn was an accessory before and after the robbery.
  • The court found Flynn drove his own BMW to a remote location in south Armagh after the robbery, where the Passat was set on fire.
Charges
  • Flynn was acquitted in September of participating in the robbery.
  • Flynn was convicted of conspiracy to steal the Volkswagen Passat.
In court
Mr Justice Tony Hunt sat at the three-judge Special Criminal Court and found the conspiracy was connected to the robbery and that Flynn knew its full purpose.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of nine years and reduced it to eight years after considering limited mitigation, including family testimonials.
  • Flynn was sentenced on December 21, 2023, with the sentence backdated to July 15, 2021.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man conspired to steal the getaway car used in the credit union robbery during which a detective garda was shot dead. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe Volkswagen Passat was to be stolen from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe conspiracy to steal the Passat took place on January 22/23, 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFlynn was convicted of conspiracy to steal the Volkswagen Passat. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSentence was passed by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the three-judge Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of nine years and reduced it to eight years after considering limited mitigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to July 15, 2021, when Flynn went into custody in the UK pending extradition. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFlynn was acquitted of participating in the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFlynn fled Ireland shortly after the robbery and was extradited from the UK in April 2022 to face trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe court found Flynn was an accessory before and after the robbery. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe court found that Flynn drove his own BMW to a remote location in south Armagh after the robbery, where the Passat was set on fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge found the conspiracy was connected to the robbery and noted Flynn's continued contact with his co-conspirator. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Dec2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Criminal jailed for eight years for stealing car used in robbery during which Det Gda Adrian Donohoe was murdered

    Sentencing of Flynn, who was convicted of conspiracy to steal the getaway car and acquitted of direct participation in the Lordship robbery. The article adds the eight-year sentence, the court's reasoning, and details of his extradition and custody.

    convicted, James Flynn, 32, male, namedJames Flynn