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. 6882Conspiracy to steal (getaway car for credit union robbery) · Co. Louth · 25 Jan 2013

Man jailed over stealing getaway car used in Lordship Credit Union robbery, Co Louth

On 25 January 2013, €7,000 was taken in a robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, during which Det Gda Adrian Donohoe was killed. James Flynn conspired to steal a Volkswagen Passat from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth, which was used as the getaway car. Flynn was acquitted of direct participation in the robbery but convicted of conspiracy to steal the car. On 21 December 2023, Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Special Criminal Court sentenced him to eight years, reduced from a headline sentence of nine.

  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
  • James Flynn was convicted of conspiracy to steal the getaway car used in a credit union robbery.
  • Det Gda Adrian Donohoe was killed during the robbery.
When
The robbery at Lordship Credit Union took place on 25 January 2013, three nights after the car was stolen.
Where
  • The robbery of €7,000 took place at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth.
  • The Volkswagen Passat was stolen from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth.
Investigation
  • The court found Flynn was an active member of the gang that carried out the robbery.
  • The court found Flynn drove his own BMW to a remote location in south Armagh, where the getaway car was set on fire.
Charges
  • Flynn was acquitted of direct participation in the robbery because the State did not prove that charge.
  • Flynn was convicted of conspiracy to steal the Volkswagen Passat getaway car.
In court
Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Flynn at the three-judge Special Criminal Court.
Other details
  • The judge found Flynn knew the full purpose of the conspiracy, which encompassed the robbery.
  • The judge said Flynn was an accessory before and after the robbery.
Sentence
  • The judge set a headline sentence of nine years and reduced it to eight years.
  • The sentence was reduced after the judge considered limited mitigation, including testimonials from Flynn's family.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJames Flynn was jailed for eight years for conspiring to steal a car used in a credit union robbery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlynn conspired to steal a Volkswagen Passat from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe robbery was of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAaron Brady shot Det Gda Adrian Donohoe once in the head during the robbery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe court found Flynn drove his own BMW to a remote location in south Armagh, where the getaway car was set on fire. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe car was stolen from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe court found Flynn was an active member of the gang that carried out the robbery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was acquitted of direct participation in the robbery because the State did not prove its case on that charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe court convicted Flynn of conspiracy to steal the Volkswagen Passat getaway car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Flynn at the three-judge Special Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of nine years and reduced it to eight. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the sentence after considering limited mitigation, including testimonials from Flynn's family. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Flynn was an accessory before and after the robbery. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Dec2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    'Co-conspirator' jailed over stealing car used in Lordship Credit Union robbery

    Sentencing of James Flynn, who was convicted of conspiracy to steal the getaway car and acquitted of participating in the robbery itself. Notes the Special Criminal Court's findings on his role as an accessory before and after the robbery, and the sentence reduction for mitigation.

    convicted, James Flynn, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynn