Lordship robbery accused to go on trial tomorrow

The trial of two men accused of a credit union robbery in which Detective Gda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead will begin tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Special Criminal Court.

Brendan Grehan SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the "extensive" opening speech to the three-judge, non-jury court will take a full day. Mr Grehan said that it is a complex case and the prosecution wants to "set out a fairly comprehensive roadmap" for the court.

Brendan Treanor (34), previously of Emer Terrace, Castletown Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, is charged that between September 11, 2012 and 23 January 2013, he conspired with James Flynn, Aaron Brady and others to enter a house with the intention of stealing the keys to a car.

Treanor is also charged with the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth on January 25, 2013.

James Flynn (32), originally from South Armagh, is charged with the same offences and is to go on trial with Mr Treanor.

Aaron Brady (31) previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a 40-year prison sentence having been found guilty of murdering Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and of the burglary at Lordship.

At today's brief hearing, Sean Guerin SC, for Brendan Treanor, said that he will apply to the court to sever the conspiracy and robbery charges. Bernard Condon SC, for Mr Flynn, said that he will join that application.