Lawyers for Aaron Brady raise negative publicity concerns

Lawyers for Aaron Brady, who shot Det Gda Adrian Donohoe dead in 2013, have raised a concern about publicity arising from a trial that was due to begin today (MON) in which he is accused of perverting the course of justice.

Michael O'Higgins SC, for Brady, told the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court that Brady is still awaiting the outcome of an appeal, heard last October, against his conviction for murdering Det Gda Donohoe. If the appeal is successful, Mr O'Higgins said his client would likely face a retrial at the Central Criminal Court.

A trial in that court would be held before a jury rather than a panel of professional judges. Mr O'Higgins said he has a "concern that the publicity generated in this trial would be damaging to jurors in that case".

Mr O'Higgins said he would be making an application before the court in which he will rely on the case of the Irish Times versus Murphy, a seminal judgment on media reporting of court proceedings. 

Brady's trial for perverting the course of justice was due to go ahead today (MON) but was adjourned to tomorrow (TUE) to allow the defence time to consider additional evidence that has been served in recent days.

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.