Det Garda Adrian Donohoe blasted to death with a shotgun

THE PSNI has issued a fresh appeal for information about a car used in the murder of Garda Detective Aidan Donohoe.

The 41-year-old was shot dead by a gang during a robbery at a credit union in the Republic of Ireland on Friday, 25 January.

Police believe the gang travelled into Northern Ireland after the shooting in a dark coloured Volkswagen Passat car.

The PSNI set up checkpoints on Friday, exactly two weeks after the attack.

Det Garda Donohue, who was married with two children, was shot without warning by the gang who robbed Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, near Dundalk.

Two days later, a car was found abandoned in Fews Forest, outside Newtownhamilton in County Armagh. It had been set on fire.

The PSNI said they believe the gang drove to the forest from the direction of Dundalk after the shooting.

They added the burnt out car was “still the subject of rigorous and extensive forensic examination in Northern Ireland”.

Det Garda Donohue was the first member of the force to be shot dead on duty since the murder of Det Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996.

Det Garda Adrian Donohoe was the first member of the force to be shot dead on duty since 1996.

The 41-year-old was given a state funeral in Dundalk, which was attended by thousands of people, including leading politicians from both sides of the Irish border.

Exactly a fortnight after the shooting, the PSNI set up checkpoints at various locations around Newtownhamilton. They included:

• Chalybeate Road junction with Cortamlat Road

• Cortmalat Road junction with Blaney Road

• Keady Road junction with Chalybeate Road

• Tullygeasy Road junction with Keady Road

Officers said they want to speak to anyone who saw the car in the area after 21:30 GMT on 25 January.

They added that they also want to hear from anyone who saw any other vehicles in the area around this time or who noticed fire or smoke in the vicinity of the forest.

“All information will be treated in the strictest confidence,” the PSNI statement said.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PSNI detectives in PSNI on 0845 600 8000 or garda detectives on 042 9388470.

Alternatively, people who do not want to provide their details can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the Garda confidential number, 1800 666 111.