Sunday 1 November 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. 0121Conspiracy to burgle · Co. Louth · 22 Jan 2013

Supreme Court orders retrial for conspiracy to burgle in Co Louth

James Flynn, 35, was convicted at the Special Criminal Court of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth, between 22 and 23 January 2013, a car later used in the robbery of Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013, during which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead by Aaron Brady. Flynn was sentenced to eight years in prison in December 2023 but the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in March 2025, finding the post-trial amendment of the indictment breached his constitutional and natural justice rights. The Supreme Court unanimously ordered a retrial on the amended charge of conspiracy to burgle in March 2026. Aaron Brady is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum for the murder.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court31 Jan
    6 reports
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Dec
    4 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A Volkswagen Passat was stolen from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth, between 22 and 23 January 2013 and used two days later in the robbery of Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013.
  • Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead by Aaron Brady during the robbery.
Where
The robbery took place at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth.
When
The conspiracy to steal the Passat took place between 22 and 23 January 2013; the robbery and murder occurred on 25 January 2013.
Charges
James Flynn was tried at the Special Criminal Court on charges of conspiracy to burgle and robbery.
In court
  • The three-judge court found the original charge not proven but amended the indictment to convict Flynn of conspiring to steal the Passat; he was acquitted of direct participation in the robbery.
  • The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in March 2025, finding the post-trial amendment of the indictment breached Flynn's constitutional and natural justice rights.
  • The Supreme Court unanimously ordered a retrial on the amended charge of conspiracy to burgle in March 2026.
Sentence
  • Flynn was sentenced to eight years in prison in December 2023, backdated to 15 July 2021 when he went into custody in the UK pending extradition.
  • Aaron Brady is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum for the murder of Detective Garda Donohoe, having been found guilty in 2020.
Investigation
The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence including phone contacts, cell site pings, CCTV of Flynn's car in convoy with the stolen Passat, and two visits by Flynn to the credit union the night before the robbery.
Other details
Flynn fled Ireland after the robbery and was extradited from the UK in April 2022 to face trial.
104 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJames Flynn was jailed for eight years for breaking into a house and stealing the keys of a car later used in the robbery of a credit union and capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. (rte.ie)
  • whatA man conspired to steal the getaway car used in the credit union robbery during which a detective garda was shot dead. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatFlynn conspired to steal a Volkswagen Passat from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth. (thejournal.ie, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe prosecution case was that the Passat was driven to a remote laneway in South Armagh and burned out. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatJames Flynn has been jailed for eight years. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatAaron Brady shot Det Gda Adrian Donohoe once in the head during the robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatFlynn was previously tried at the Special Criminal Court where he denied a charge of conspiring to burgle cars at various locations in 2012 and 2013. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe Special Criminal Court found the original charge not proven but amended the indictment to find Flynn guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth between 22 and 23 January 2013. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe Passat was used two days later in the robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe Passat was used two days later in the robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, in which Det Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe stolen Passat was used two days later in the robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDetective Garda Donohoe was shot dead by Aaron Brady during the robbery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe robbery took place at the Lordship Credit Union in County Louth. (rte.ie)
  • whereFlynn was found guilty of conspiring to break into a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth, two days before the robbery and murder. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe Volkswagen Passat was to be stolen from outside a house in Clogherhead, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe robbery of about €7,000 took place at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereAaron Brady is from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe car stolen was a Volkswagen Passat taken from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenDetective Garda Adrian Donohoe was killed on 25 January 2013. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe conspiracy to steal the Passat took place on January 22/23, 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe conspiracy conviction relates to January 22/23, 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe Passat was stolen between January 22nd and 23rd, 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder of Garda Donohoe occurred on 25 January 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe car was stolen for a specific purpose. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe Court of Appeal found that the manner in which the trial court amended the indictment breached Flynn's constitutional and natural justice rights. (courts.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution will ask the court to draw inferences from phone contacts around the times of the burglaries between Flynn, Treanor and Brady. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationInferences can also be drawn from the location of cell sites their phones pinged off around the times of the burglaries. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationA Satnav from a car stolen in a creeper burglary was found when gardai stopped and searched Eugene Flynn Snr at Dublin Airport in 2015. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationPartially burned documents taken from a home in Cavan during a burglary in October 2012 were found in the house where Aaron Brady was living in March 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe court was satisfied that Flynn picked up Brady in his BMW on the night of the offence. (rte.ie)
  • investigationFlynn's car was captured on CCTV in convoy with the stolen car. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe judge noted two visits to the credit union the night before the robbery, which were part of the preparations for the crime. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeTreanor is charged with conspiring to enter a house with the intention of stealing the keys to a car between 11 September 2012 and 23 January 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeTreanor is also charged with the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan on 25 January 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeJames Flynn is charged with the same offences as Treanor. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeFlynn and Treanor are accused of conspiring to commit creeper burglaries in which thieves popped out locks to front doors at night to steal car keys and other items. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeFlynn and Treanor are charged that between 11 September 2012 and 23 January 2013 they conspired with Brady and others to enter a house with the intention of stealing car keys. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeBoth men are also charged with the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was found guilty of conspiring with others to steal the car keys. (rte.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was convicted of conspiracy to steal the Volkswagen Passat. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFlynn was convicted of conspiracy to steal the Passat getaway car in Clogherhead on 22/23 January 2013. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was tried before the Special Criminal Court on two counts: conspiracy to burgle and robbery. (courts.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was originally tried at the Special Criminal Court on a charge of conspiring to burgle cars at various locations in 2012 and 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe original charge was conspiring to burgle cars at various locations in 2012 and 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial will begin at the Special Criminal Court before a three-judge, non-jury court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe DPP's opening speech is expected to take a full day. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtTreanor's defence indicated it would apply to sever the conspiracy and robbery charges. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn's defence said it would join the application to sever the charges. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtCircumstantial evidence will be used in the case against Flynn and Treanor at the Special Criminal Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution accepts that the evidence for each burglary alone would not be sufficient to prosecute either accused in isolation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe evidence for the Lordship Credit Union robbery is circumstantial and the case will stand or fall on many fine threads wound together. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn was convicted at the Special Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtSentence was passed by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the three-judge Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Flynn at the three-judge Special Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtIn September the Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of participation in the robbery. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe court found Flynn was an accessory before and after the robbery but was not satisfied he was a direct participant in it. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe sentence was handed down by Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Special Criminal Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn was acquitted of participation in the robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn was convicted of conspiracy to burgle and acquitted of the robbery count on 11 September 2023. (courts.ie)
  • courtOn 10 March 2025, the Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal ordered a retrial on the indictment as originally charged. (courts.ie)
  • courtFlynn appealed to the Supreme Court opposing any retrial, arguing the Court of Appeal decision was in breach of fair procedures. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe Supreme Court has ordered a retrial of James Flynn on an amended charge of conspiracy to burgle. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe three-judge court found the original charge not proven and amended it to a guilty finding on conspiring to steal the Passat. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal overturned the conviction two years later. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal ordered a retrial on the original indictment for the wider conspiracy. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Supreme Court unanimously found the Court of Appeal had erred in saying the amended charge had no legal effect. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court ordered Flynn retried at the Special Criminal Court on the amended conspiracy to burgle charge for January 22nd and 23rd, 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court ordered a retrial for James Flynn. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFlynn was previously tried at the Special Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe three-judge non-jury court found the charge not proven but amended the indictment to find Flynn guilty of stealing a Volkswagen Passat from Clogherhead. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal overturned Flynn's conviction two years later. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal found the post-trial amendment of the indictment breached Flynn's right to natural justice. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFlynn appealed to the Supreme Court opposing any retrial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment, said the Court of Appeal had erred. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Brian O'Moore delivered the Supreme Court judgment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFlynn is to be retried at the Special Criminal Court on the amended indictment of conspiracy to burgle on the dates of January 22 and 23 of 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBrady was found guilty in 2020 of the murder of Detective Garda Donohoe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceAaron Brady is serving a 40-year prison sentence for murdering Det Garda Adrian Donohoe and the burglary at Lordship. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceAaron Brady is serving a 40-year prison sentence having been found guilty of murdering Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and of the burglary at Lordship. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceFlynn was sentenced to nine years in prison with the final year suspended. (rte.ie)
  • 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)
  • sentenceFlynn was jailed for eight years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of nine years and reduced it to eight after considering mitigation. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceGuilty plea, remorse or assistance to gardaí were not available to Flynn as mitigation. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 15 July 2021, when Flynn went into custody in the UK pending extradition. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceA headline sentence of nine years was set and reduced to eight after mitigation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceIn December 2023, the Special Criminal Court sentenced Flynn to eight years in prison. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceAaron Brady is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum having been found guilty in 2020 of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe on 25 January 2013. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe Special Criminal Court sentenced Flynn to eight years in prison in December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceAaron Brady is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherFlynn made two visits to the credit union in preparation for the crime. (rte.ie)
  • otherFlynn did not plead guilty and has shown no remorse, according to the judge. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Flynn was part of an organised crime gang. (rte.ie)
  • 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, thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe court found Flynn was an accessory before and after the robbery. (irishtimes.com, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • 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)
  • otherAaron Brady murdered Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe by shooting him once in the head during the robbery. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBrady is serving a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years and is appealing his conviction. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe court found Flynn drove his own BMW to a remote location in south Armagh after the robbery, where the Passat was set on fire. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe Supreme Court judgment was delivered on 25 March 2026. (courts.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Oct2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, its first report
    Man accused of stealing car used in fatal robbery granted retrial

    Supreme Court orders retrial at the Special Criminal Court on the amended charge of conspiracy to burgle the Volkswagen Passat; the Court of Appeal had overturned the original conviction, finding the post-trial amendment of the indictment breached natural justice.

    accused, James Flynn, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnconvicted, Aaron Brady, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Bradyvictim, Adrian Donohoe, male, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoe
  2. 16 Oct2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Retrial ordered for man previously convicted over getaway car used in Lordship Credit Union robbery

    Supreme Court unanimously upheld the Court of Appeal's retrial order but limited it to the amended charge (conspiracy to steal the Passat) rather than the wider conspiracy; Flynn's December 2023 eight-year sentence was overturned in 2025; Judge O'Moore cited clear public interest in deciding Flynn's innocence or guilt.

    accused, James Flynn, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynn
  3. 1 Oct2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Retrial for man accused of stealing car used in fatal credit union robbery

    Provides details of the Supreme Court's unanimous judgment by Mr Justice Brian O'Moore, the Court of Appeal's reasoning (breach of natural justice in amending the indictment without consulting legal teams), Flynn's appeal against retrial, and Aaron Brady's sentence (life with 40-year minimum, found guilty in 2020).

    accused, James Flynn, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnvictim, Adrian Donohoe, male, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoeconvicted, Aaron Brady, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Brady
  4. 25 Mar2026
    In courtCourts Service judgment, its first report
    [2026] IESC 21 Supreme Court: The People at the suit of the Director of Public Prosecutions -V- James Flynn

    Supreme Court judgment delivered 25 March 2026 on whether the Court of Appeal could order a retrial on the original indictment after the conviction on the amended indictment was quashed. The record summary states the outcome as 'Dismissed'.

    accused, James Flynn, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynn
  5. 22 Dec2023
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Lordship Robbery: Eight years for Aaron Brady co-conspirator James Flynn

    Sentencing: eight years, reduced from a headline sentence of nine years after mitigation. Court confirms Flynn was acquitted of robbery participation but convicted of conspiracy to steal the getaway car.

    convicted, James Flynn, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynn
  6. 21 Dec2023
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, its first report
    Man jailed for theft of car used in robbery where Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead

    Reports the sentence imposed on Flynn: a nine-year headline reduced to eight years, backdated to 15 July 2021. It also reports that Flynn was convicted of conspiracy to steal the Passat but acquitted of direct participation in the robbery.

    convicted, James Flynn, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)James Flynn
  7. 21 Dec2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, its 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
  8. 21 Dec2023
    Sentencedrte.ie, its first report
    Man jailed over theft of car used in Lordship robbery

    Adds the sentencing details: nine years with the final year suspended, the judge's findings that Flynn knew the full purpose of the conspiracy and made two visits to the credit union, that he did not plead guilty and showed no remorse, and that he was part of an organised crime gang.

    convicted, James Flynn, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnvictim, Adrian Donohoe, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoesuspect, Aaron Brady, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Brady
  9. 1 Feb2023
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Circumstantial evidence to be used in case against Lordship robbery accused

    Prosecution counsel Lorcan Staines SC outlines the circumstantial evidence strategy, including phone contacts, cell site pings, a Satnav found at Dublin Airport in 2015, and partially burned documents linking the accused to the burglaries and the Lordship robbery. The prosecution accepts each burglary alone would not be sufficient but argues the pattern across all burglaries makes the case clear.

    accused, James Flynn, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnaccused, Brendan Treanor, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Treanorconvicted, Aaron Brady, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Brady
  10. 31 Jan2023
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Lordship robbery accused to go on trial tomorrow

    Trial of Treanor and Flynn set to begin at the Special Criminal Court; defence to apply to sever conspiracy and robbery charges; DPP's opening speech expected to take a full day.

    victim, Adrian Donohoe, male, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoesuspect, Brendan Treanor, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Treanorsuspect, James Flynn, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnsuspect, Aaron Brady, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Brady