Further delay of Brady's perverting the course of justice trial

COURT Brady accused of conspiring to persuade prosecution witness not to give evidence

Eoin Reynolds

Garda killer Aaron Brady's trial for perverting the course of justice has been delayed for a third day following discussions between the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Brady's lawyers.

Michael O'Higgins SC, for Brady said this morning that he had taken an instruction from his client and arising from that a matter has been put to the DPP. Lorcan Staines SC, for the prosecution, said that he wants to consult with the director before moving forward. He said he will have his instructions by tomorrow, Thursday.

Brady's trial for perverting the course of justice was due to go ahead this week but was adjourned to allow the defence time to consider additional evidence that has been served in recent days. During that time, Mr O'Higgins has also been in discussions with his counterpart for the DPP.

Brady and his co-accused Dean Byrne are charged with conspiring to persuade a State witness not to testify during Brady's trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013.

Padraig Dwyer SC, for Mr Byrne, said that he is not involved in the matter being discussed between Brady's lawyers and the DPP.

Brady (33) of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh and Dean Byrne (30) from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, are accused of conspiring to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence in order to pervert the course of justice between April 8, 2020, and June 22, 2020.

Brady is also accused of recording the playing of a video of a witness being interviewed by gardaí, thus embarking upon a course to pervert the course of public justice between February 20, 2020 and May 7, 2020,

During Brady's murder trial in 2020, the court was told that a video of a witness telling gardaí that he heard Brady admit to murdering a garda was circulating on social media.

Trial judge Mr Justice Michael White described the dissemination of the video as "the most outrageous contempt of court" and a "deliberate attempt to intimidate" the witness and others who were to give evidence.

In August 2020 Brady was convicted of murdering Detective Garda Donohoe, a garda acting in accordance with his duties. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years to be served. He is being held at Portlaoise prison.