Aaron Brady, who shot and killed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice during his murder trial.
At Thursday’s hearing, Brady accepted that he was responsible for recording footage of an interview between gardai and Ronan Flynn, a witness who told police he had heard Brady admit to shooting Det Gda Donohoe three times.
The video was later posted on social media accusing Mr Flynn of “touting” and calling him a “rat”.
Brady (33), formerly of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh was convicted by a jury in 2020 of the murder of Detective Garda Donohoe during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Co Louth, on January 25 2013.
He is serving a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years.
Mr Flynn did not give evidence at Brady’s trial and Mr Justice Michael White, who oversaw the murder trial, described the release of the footage as “the most outrageous contempt of court” and a clear attempt to intimidate Flynn and other witnesses.
Brady stood as the registrar asked him to respond to the charge, to which he replied “guilty”.