Special Criminal Court refuses bail for James Flynn in Lordship Credit Union robbery retrial
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, 43, an and citizen, was charged with conspiracy to steal cars and participation in the robbery. Flynn was acquitted of the robbery charge but found guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat from Clogherhead, Co Louth, a conviction the Court of Appeal later quashed. Flynn was arrested in the UK in 2021 and extradited to Ireland, where he has spent three years and nine months in custody. On 29 April 2025, the Special Criminal Court refused bail, citing a flight risk, and his retrial is listed for 9 February 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court29 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- 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.
- James Flynn, 43, was charged with conspiracy to steal cars in the northeast and with participation in the Lordship Credit Union robbery.
- Where
- Flynn has an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down.
- When
- Flynn was arrested in the UK in 2021 and extradited to Ireland.
- In court
- The Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge and found him guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat from Clogherhead, Co Louth, in January 2013.
- The Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction, finding the indictment was amended without consulting legal teams, breaching his right to constitutional natural justice.
- On 29 April 2025, the Special Criminal Court refused bail for Flynn, citing a flight risk, and his retrial is listed for 9 February 2026.
- Other details
- Flynn is a citizen of the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Flynn has spent three years and nine months in custody since his arrest in the UK.
- Flynn offered a cash lodgement and independent sureties totalling more than £1 million when arrested in the UK.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatIn the Lordship Credit Union robbery, Brady shot and killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe same Volkswagen Passat was used as the getaway car in the Lordship robbery. (irishtimes.com)
- whereFlynn has an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFlynn was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars at locations in the northeast. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFlynn was further 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 refused bail for James Flynn. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFlynn had offered a cash lodgement and independent sureties totalling more than £1 million when arrested in the UK for extradition to Ireland in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court did not accept defence submissions that Flynn had substantial ties to the Republic of Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court amended the conspiracy indictment to find Flynn guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth, in January 2013. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFlynn is a citizen of the United Kingdom and the United States. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFlynn is married with two children. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFlynn has spent three years and nine months in custody since his arrest in the UK and extradition to Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Apr2025Special Criminal Court refuses bail for man accused of conspiring to steal cars with garda killer Aaron Brady
Bail refused at Special Criminal Court; trial listed for 9 February 2026. The Court of Appeal had quashed Flynn's conviction for conspiracy to steal the getaway car, finding the indictment was amended without consulting legal teams, breaching his right to constitutional natural justice.
accused, James Flynn, 43, named, non-irish (judged from name)James Flynnaccused, Aaron Brady, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Bradyvictim, Adrian Donohoe, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoe