Jailed for life for capital murder

The Armagh man who killed a garda detective in the line of duty will serve a minimum of 49 years in prison.

Aaron Brady (28) from New Road, Crossmaglen, has been sentenced to life in prison for the capital murder of Kilnaleck native, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a credit union raid over seven years ago.

Brady, who was convicted in August, was also sentenced to 14 years for armed robbery.

"We had a loving, happy family, but in just 58 senseless seconds everything changed forever," the wife of murdered detective garda Adrian Donohoe told the Central Criminal Court today.

Speaking at the sentence hearing, Caroline Donohoe said no words can express the impact on her life, the lives of her children and their family, colleagues and friends who all loved Adrian.

Brady was convicted in August of capital murder for shooting Det Gda Donohoe dead during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Co Louth on January 25, 2013. For the capital murder offence, Mr Justice Michael White today (Wednesday) sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Under the Criminal Justice Act 1990, the judge was required to state that Brady must serve a minimum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Mr Justice White also sentenced Brady to 14 years for the robbery, a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence.

Mrs Donohoe visited the scene less than an hour after the shooting and identified her husband's body.

"I will never recover fully from what I had to see," she said, adding: "My heart breaks every time I pass there and sometimes I can't get the images out of my mind for hours. Nothing and nobody will ever replace Adrian in our home."

Detective Garda Donohoe's parents Hugh and Peggy, in a written statement read by their son Alan, said the murder was "a waste of a good man for such an evil and pointless act".

They added: "We visit his grave every week, which is some comfort, but it’s no place for him. He should be here with us living his life."

Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána has noted the life sentence imposed on Brady and once again appealed to anyone with information in relation to the incident to come forward so that others involved can be brought to justice.

In a statement released in the past few minutes, they said: 'Detective Garda Donohoe went to work on the 25 January 2013, protecting the people of Louth. He never came home to his family after being shot and murdered during the course of a robbery at the community credit union in Lordship.'

'The sentencing today has been another traumatic step in the investigation of this crime for Adrian Donohoe’s wife Caroline, children, extended family, friends and his work colleagues at Dundalk Garda station and in the wider Garda organisation.

'Aaron Brady was just one member of a criminal gang on that day. This criminal investigation remains live as the other members of that gang remain to be brought before the courts; the commitment and tenacity of the investigation team based at Dundalk Garda Station to bring all suspects to justice remains steadfast.'

Speaking today Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said:

"My thoughts and those of the Garda Organisation are once again today with Adrian Donohoe’s family. We in An Garda Síochána will continue to support the family, and the friends and colleagues of Adrian. An Garda Síochána's resolve to bring all the participants in this crime to justice remains firm and the investigation team at Dundalk will continue to be supported by the resources of the wider organisation.”

An Garda Síochána appeals to any person with any information with respect to the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe to come forward to detectives with that information. The investigation team can be contacted at Dundalk Garda Station 042-9388400 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.