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AARON Brady has been sentenced to 40 years for the capital murder of Garda Detective Adrian Donohoe and 14 years for robbery.
After a 122-day trial, Brady was found guilty of the capital murder of Garda Detective Adrian Donohoe during an armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union seven years ago.
At his sentencing hearing today, the mandatory term of life in prison was issued with a minimum of 40 years in prison for capital murder.
His 14-year sentence for robbery will coincide with the murder sentence.
The court heard impact statements from the victims, including those from his wife Caroline.
“I will never recover from what I had to see at Lordsip that night,” he said in the statement to the court.
“Sometimes I can’t get the images out of my mind.”
She said there were “absolutely no words” to express the impact of the murder on her and her children.
They will miss their dad in all the first times in their lives.
His father read in court an impact statement from Det Gda Donohoe’s parents, Hugh and Peggy Donohoe. She fought back tears as she paid tribute to her son.
“He brought so much joy into our lives.
“He never forgot his mother’s birthday or Mother’s Day.
“He was as good a son as you could ask for. We miss him every day,” she said.
He said his son would like to surprise them, even bringing his siblings home from abroad for a 60th surprise.
“It’s hard to believe such a good man met such evil that night.
“From that day on, it is impossible to find joy in life.”
The court also heard a statement from Det Gda Donohoe’s partner, Det Gda Joe Ryan, about the devastating impact the murder had on him and his career.
The assailants pointed a gun at the garda and threatened to kill him.
“I had no doubt that they were going to kill me,” said his statement read to the court.
He gained vivid memories of the night, was unable to sleep, and was eventually diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that ultimately forced him to retire 10 years before An Garda Síochana.
In the prosecution case, Brady (29) fired the fatal shot during the raid on the Lordship Credit Union in Dundalk, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013.
He denied this and claimed that he was moving buckets of washed diesel waste in a yard in South Armagh at the time.
However, after a 28-week trial, the jury of seven women and five men returned guilty verdicts on charges of capital murder and robbery.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the murder of Det Garda Donohoe was an “attack on this state.”
She said: “I don’t think anything can make up for the suffering and loss that Det Garda Donohoe’s family and friends have felt and they are all in our thoughts today.”
“The pain of his wife Caroline, his children Niall and Amy, his brothers, his family, his community in general, that can never be erased by a sentence or conviction.”
He said that Det Garda Donohoe is “a perfect example of what is good about this country” and added that he “worked tirelessly to serve his community and this state.”
“The capital murder of an honorable and hardworking member of An Garda Síochána is an assault and attack on this State
Ms. McEntee praised the Gardaí, PSNI, and members of the community and other agencies who ensured that justice was served.
He said: “I know that they continue their work so that more people are brought to justice but I believe that today the determination of the State and its defenders to achieve this is shown.
“I hope in particular for his family, many of whom I am defenders of the state in An Garda Síochána, that this will be a comfort to them.”
Online editors
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