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. 1770Conspiracy to steal a car · Co. Louth · 25 Jan 2013

Supreme Court orders retrial over conspiracy to steal Louth getaway car

On 25 January 2013, Aaron Brady shot and killed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, using a Volkswagen Passat stolen from Clogherhead, Co Louth as the getaway car. James Flynn, a man aged 34 (reports vary between 32 and 43) with an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down, was charged with conspiring to steal the car and the Special Criminal Court found him guilty in September 2023 after amending the indictment post-trial, and he was sentenced to eight years in December 2023. The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in March 2025, finding the amendment breached his right to constitutional natural justice, and ordered a retrial. The Supreme Court in October 2026 dismissed Flynn's appeal on the substantive issues but directed a retrial on the amended indictment, with the case now awaiting a fresh trial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Jan
    8 reports
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Aaron Brady shot and killed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013.
  • A Volkswagen Passat stolen from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth, was used as the getaway car in the robbery.
When
The conspiracy to steal the Passat was alleged to have taken place between 22 and 23 January 2013.
Charges
James Flynn was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars at various locations in the northeast and with participation in the Lordship Credit Union robbery.
In court
  • The Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge but amended the indictment after the three-month trial to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat.
  • The Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in March 2025, finding the post-trial amendment of the indictment breached Flynn's right to constitutional natural justice, and ordered a retrial.
  • The Supreme Court in October 2026 dismissed Flynn's appeal on the substantive issues but directed a retrial on the amended indictment.
  • The Special Criminal Court refused bail for Flynn in April 2025, citing flight risk, and listed the retrial for 9 February 2026.
Sentence
  • Flynn was sentenced to eight years imprisonment in December 2023.
  • Aaron Brady is serving a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years for the murder.
Other details
  • Flynn fled Ireland after the robbery, was arrested in the UK in July 2021, and was extradited to Ireland in April 2022.
  • Flynn is a citizen of the United Kingdom and the United States and holds no Irish passport.
Investigation
The prosecution relied on mobile phone cell site evidence and CCTV footage of Flynn's BMW 5-series near the theft location.
108 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAaron Brady shot and killed Det Garda Adrian Donohoe during the robbery (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of a 34-year-old man who had been jailed for eight years for conspiring to steal the getaway car. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatDetective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead during the credit union robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatDetective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead during the robbery by Aaron Brady. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatJames Flynn successfully appealed his conviction for conspiring to steal the getaway car used in a credit union robbery. (irishtimes.com)
  • 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)
  • whatThe Special Criminal Court refused bail for a man accused of conspiring to steal cars with Aaron Brady. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatAaron Brady shot and killed Det Gda Adrian Donohoe during the Lordship robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatMr. Flynn was originally indicted on a charge of conspiracy to burgle. (courts.ie)
  • whatThe original charge alleged a conspiracy to enter residential premises as trespassers to steal motor vehicle keys. (courts.ie)
  • whereThe robbery took place at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereFlynn has an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down (irishtimes.com, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • 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)
  • whereJames Flynn has an address in Ravensglen, Newry, Co Down. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe getaway car was stolen from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth, in January 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe robbery took place on 25 January 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.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 conspiracy to steal the Passat was amended to cover the period between January 22 and 23, 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe robbery occurred on 25 January 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenFlynn has been in custody since July 2021 when Irish authorities brought extradition proceedings against him in the UK. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenFlynn had spent almost four years in custody at the time of the appeal decision. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe original charge alleged conduct between 11 September 2012 and 23 January 2013. (courts.ie)
  • causeThe stolen car was used in a robbery. (extra.ie)
  • causeDet Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot in the head during the robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationFlynn's barrister questioned the evidence of prosecution witness Andy Wooller. (dundalkdemocrat.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 conviction was based on CCTV footage alleged to show Flynn's BMW 5-series acting suspiciously near where the Passat was stolen. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe court dismissed the mobile phone cell site evidence relating to the creeper burglaries. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • 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)
  • investigationGardaí objected to bail on the grounds of flight risk and potential witness intimidation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe man was involved in conspiring to steal a car. (extra.ie)
  • chargeThe Special Criminal Court found Flynn guilty of conspiring with Aaron Brady to steal a car used in the robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe court amended the indictment and found Flynn guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat. (dundalkdemocrat.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. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was further charged with participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars at various locations in the northeast. (irishtimes.com, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeFlynn was charged with participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. (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)
  • chargeFlynn was further charged with participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe amended charge alleged a conspiracy to burgle on 22 and 23 January 2013. (courts.ie)
  • courtFlynn was acquitted of taking part in the robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtAt the Court of Appeal, Flynn's barrister argued the trial judge erred by amending the indictment after the trial had finished. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn's barrister said the first time he heard of the change to the charge was after he had been convicted. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal heard the appeal on a Thursday and reserved its judgment. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Special Criminal Court found the evidence did not prove Flynn was directly involved in the robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.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 appeal court found that amending the indictment after the trial had finished was a breach of Flynn's right to constitutional natural justice. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the amendment as a very unusual occurrence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe court will hear from the parties on March 18 on whether Flynn should face a retrial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery and car-burglary charges but amended the indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe court found the evidence did not prove Flynn was one of the men directly involved in the Lordship robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • 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)
  • courtThe Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge but amended the conspiracy indictment to find him guilty of conspiring to steal the Volkswagen Passat. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP sought a retrial on the original count on the indictment. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMs Justice Burns said 12 years was not an inordinate amount of time for a retrial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Flynn in custody for a bail hearing on 28 April. (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, dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • 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)
  • courtThe judge said Flynn could be a flight risk if granted bail. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused bail given the seriousness of the charge, the evidence, and the likely sentence on conviction. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe court did not accept that Flynn has substantial ties to the Republic of Ireland. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn is a citizen of the United Kingdom and the United States and has started businesses in both. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn offered cash and sureties totalling more than £1 million Stg when arrested in the UK in 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge was not satisfied that refusing bail was justified on witness intimidation grounds. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtFlynn was found guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat from a property in Clogherhead, Co Louth, in January 2013. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction and ordered a retrial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal found the amendment of the indictment breached Flynn's right to constitutional natural justice. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge listed the matter for trial on February 9, next year. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Special Criminal Court amended the particulars of the indictment in its verdict of 11 September 2023. (courts.ie)
  • courtMr. Flynn was convicted on the amended indictment. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe amendment was made without prior notice to the prosecution or the defence. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the conviction. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal ordered a retrial on the original indictment. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe Supreme Court dismissed Mr. Flynn's appeal on the substantive issues but held the Court of Appeal erred in finding the amendment without legal effect. (courts.ie)
  • courtThe Supreme Court directs a retrial of Mr. Flynn on the amended indictment. (courts.ie)
  • sentenceFlynn was sentenced to eight years imprisonment in December 2023. (dundalkdemocrat.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceAaron Brady is serving a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years for the murder. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceFlynn was jailed for eight years for conspiring to steal the getaway car (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceFlynn was sentenced to eight years in prison, backdated to reflect his time in custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceA retrial of Mr. Flynn on the amended indictment before the Special Criminal Court has been ordered. (courts.ie)
  • otherThe robbery saw Garda Adrian Donohoe shot. (extra.ie)
  • otherFlynn fled Ireland shortly after the robbery and was extradited from the UK in April 2022 to face trial. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherFlynn holds UK and United States passports but not an Irish one. (dundalkdemocrat.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)
  • 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)
  • otherThe same Volkswagen Passat was used as the getaway car in the robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherFlynn is married with two children and has spent three years and nine months in custody. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Oct2026
    In courtCourts Service judgment, follow-up
    [2026] IESC 43 Supreme Court: The People at the suit of the Director of Public Prosecutions -v- James Flynn

    Supreme Court judgment [2026] IESC 43 on the DPP appeal. It directs a retrial of Mr. Flynn on the amended indictment before the Special Criminal Court. It also records that the Court of Appeal quashed the earlier conviction and that the Supreme Court dismissed Mr. Flynn's appeal on the substantive issues.

    accused, James Flynn, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynn
  2. 30 Apr2025
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Bail refused for Louth man accused of conspiracy to steal cars with garda killer

    Reports the Special Criminal Court's refusal of bail for Flynn at a bail hearing, the reasons given, the objection by gardaí, and the trial date. Adds that the Court of Appeal quashed his earlier conviction and ordered a retrial.

    accused, James Flynn, 43, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)James Flynnvictim, Det Gda Adrian Donohoe, irish (judged from name)Det Gda Adrian Donohoe
  3. 29 Apr2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Special 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
  4. 10 Apr2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man faces fresh trial over credit union robbery getaway car after appeal court overturned conviction

    Court of Appeal quashed Flynn's conviction for the unlawful post-trial amendment of the indictment and ordered a retrial; Flynn remanded in custody pending bail hearing on 28 April.

    accused, James Flynn, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnsuspect, Aaron Brady, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Bradyvictim, Adrian Donohoe, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoe
  5. 10 Mar2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Conviction 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
  6. 10 Mar2025
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    BREAKING: Conviction quashed for conspiring to steal car used in Louth garda murder robbery

    Reports the Court of Appeal quashing Flynn's conviction for conspiring to steal the getaway car, and that a retrial question will be heard on 18 March 2025. Adds the reasons for the quashing, the original charges, the acquittals on the robbery and car-burglary charges, and background on Flynn's flight and extradition.

    victim, Adrian Donohoe, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoeaccused, James Flynn, 34, male, namedJames Flynnsuspect, Aaron Brady, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Bradysuspect, male
  7. 10 Mar2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man’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
  8. 17 Jan2025
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Gang member only heard of change to Lordship getaway car conspiracy charge after he was convicted of it, appeal hears

    Reports the Court of Appeal hearing of Flynn's appeal, with judgment reserved. His barrister says the charge was amended after trial without the defence being heard, and challenges the evidence of prosecution witness Andy Wooller.

    victim, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, male, irish (judged from name)Detective Garda Adrian Donohoeconvicted, James Flynn, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Flynnsuspect, Aaron Brady, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Brady
  9. 21 Dec2023
    Sentencedextra.ie, follow-up
    Man Jailed For Conspiring To Steal Car Used In Robbery Which Saw Garda Adrian Donohoe Shot

    Reports that a man was jailed for conspiring to steal the car used in the robbery that saw Garda Adrian Donohoe shot. The article gives no name, age, sentence length or court details.

    convicted, malevictim, Adrian Donohoe, irish (judged from name)Adrian Donohoe