Three years on, 'people still know’ Gda Donohoe killers

Paul Neilan
Three years on from the murder of Kilnaleck-born Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, gardai say there are “still people out there” who know his killers and are urging them to “do the right thing”.
On Sunday, a mass was held for Det Gda Donohoe at St Patrick’s Church in Kilnaleck while a candle-lit vigil was held in Louth, where the father of two lost his life on January 25, 2013.
A five-man gang from the south Armagh-north Louth area who skipped the country - two of whom are thought to be back in the North - are the chief suspects of the killing at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan.
“It is three years now since Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was brutally and senselessly murdered in the line of duty,” said Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan in a statement to the Celt.
“The impact of Adrian’s death is still keenly felt in Dundalk, amongst the Garda family, and the wider community. Most of all, our thoughts today are with Caroline, the children, and all of Adrian’s family and friends.
“Adrian Donohoe was the very embodiment of dedication to the community he served. He was not only integral to the team at Dundalk Garda station but also to St Patrick’s GAA in Lordship [who named the ground in his memory] and to the lives of the children of the underage teams he coached.
“The reaction to his murder is testament to the breadth of influence he had on people’s lives, and the depth of feeling towards him.
“An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring Adrian’s killers are brought to justice and extensive assistance is being provided by law enforcement colleagues, including the PSNI.
“I would appeal to anyone with information on Adrian’s murder to come forward and help us with our enquiries. The smallest piece of information could be significant. There are still people out there who know who the killers are. It is never too late to do the right thing. Any information provided will be treated sensitively.”
Anyone with information in relation to the murder of Det Gda Donohoe can call the incident room in Dundalk Garda Station at (042) 938 8470 or the Garda Confidential Number at 1800 666 111.
There have been only two arrests in the investigation of the murder so far with those males questioned and released without charge.
In September 2013, Adrian’s wife, Caroline, accepted a Rehab Person of the Year award in his memory.
A portion of the touching memorial to Adrian penned by his family in last week’s Anglo Celt read: 'January comes with sad regret and bring back a day we will never forget; Adrian, no matter how we pass our time, no matter what we do, we never go to sleep at night, without a thought of you.’