Video was circulated of witness giving statement against Brady

Allegations of witness intimidation during the trial of Aaron Brady it emerged today after the Armagh man was found guilty of the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe.

With the verdict returned the trial judge, Mr Justice Michael White, lifted an embargo on what he had called "the most outrageous" contempt of court he had seen in his career.

It emerged during the trial that a video of one witness giving a statement about Aaron Brady to gardaí was circulated on social media with text calling the witness a "rat" and accusing him of "touting" on his friends.

The witness in question did not come forward to give evidence. He was one of five witnesses who did not give evidence in a trial during which there were repeated claims that witnesses were suffering interference and intimidation.

With the verdict returned the trial judge lifted an embargo on what he had called "the most outrageous" contempt of court he had seen in his career.