Co Armagh man sentenced for stealing car used in Adrian Donohoe murder

James Flynn, from South Armagh, was convicted at the Special Criminal Court of breaking into a house and stealing the keys of a car that was later used in the January 25, 2013 armed robbery of the Lordship Credit Union in Co Louth.

Donohoe was fatally shot during the robbery, which was carried out by a cross-border organized crime gang based in South Armagh. 

Justice Tony Hunt said in court on Thursday, December 21 that Flynn was part of an organized crime gang and that the vehicle was stolen for a specific purpose. 

Justice Hunt said Flynn conspired with Aaron Brady, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Donohoe, and other gang members to steal a car that was used as a getaway vehicle in the robbery. 

Flynn was found guilty of conspiring with gang members to break into a house in Clogherhead, County Louth, and steal the keys of a Volkswagen Passat that was later used in the robbery. 

The car was stolen two days before the armed robbery took place. 

RTÉ News reports that the Special Criminal Court was satisfied that Flynn picked up Brady on the night the car was stolen for "night work."

CCTV later captured Flynn's car in convoy with the stolen Volkswagen Passat, according to RTÉ. 

Justice Hunt said Flynn was aware of the purpose of burgling the home to steal a fast car for the armed robbery. He also said Flynn made two visits to the Lordship Credit Union ahead of the robbery. 

The court also heard that Flynn drove his own vehicle to a location in South Armagh where the Volkswagen Passat was set on fire after the robbery had taken place. Flynn then drove participants of the robbery from the remote location, making him an accessory before and after the robbery, according to Mr. Justice Hunt. 

Sentencing Flynn to nine years in prison with the final year suspended, Justice Hunt stated that Flynn had not pleaded guilty and showed no remorse. 

The judge said he reduced the sentence to eight years after considering "limited mitigation," including testimonies from Flynn's family. 

In September, the Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of participation in the robbery of €7,000 from the Lordship Credit Union.