The trial of an Armagh man charged with the capital murder of Garda Detective Adrian Donohoe continued today with the presiding judge warning the jury that they must set aside all sympathy and emotion.
Judge Michael White told the jury on the second day of the trial that they were acting as judges of the facts and in doing so must put emotion and human sympathy aside
Aaron Brady, 28, from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, a married father of two from Kilnaleck, Co Cavan.
Brady has also pleaded not guilty to the robbery of €7,000 in cash and cheques from Pat Bellew at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co. Louth on the same night, January 25, 2013.
On Tuesday prosecuting barrister Brendan Grehan had told the jury Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was blasted in the face at close range with a shotgun in a robbery that lasted just 58 seconds.
The Co. Cavan born garda did not get a chance to draw his weapon before he was shot dead, the prosecuting barrister said in his opening address to the jury.
It is the State's case that four "athletic young men" were involved in the actual robbery while a fifth member of the gang, "male or female" drove a getaway car which was used to block the exit of the car park at Lordship Credit Union while the armed robbery took place.
The State's case is that the Garda Detective was shot after he stepped out of the car.
Two men, one armed with a hand gun moved to the driver's side of the car where Det Garda Joe Ryan was sat.
"Garda Ryan was unable to move," the prosecuting counsel said in his opening on Tuesday.
A fourth man moved to target another car carrying credit union cash and cheques, the prosecuting barrister told the jury.
Garda Donohoe was fatally shot above the right eye with the blast travelling into the brain.
Within the same minute, a handgun was held to Det Garda Ryan who was told "I'll f******g kill you. Don't move. I will shoot you." Mr Grehan said.
Outlining the State's case Mr Grehan said that the robbery of Lordship Credit Union seven years ago was carefully planned and the "base criminal motive was purely money"
"This was done for money, nothing else." he said.
The trial is expected to last 16 weeks.
