Burglary conspiracy ended after 'enormous' investigation in wake of garda murder

In relation to the robbery at Lordship Credit Union, the court heard that the evidence is circumstantial, and the prosecution case will "stand or fall on the strength of many fine threads wound together"

A Volkswagen Passat stolen in a burglary in Clogherhead, Co Louth, in January 2013, was used in the robbery at Lordship Credit Union during which Det Gda Donohoe was shot and killed, the prosecution contends. File Picture

A conspiracy by a group of young men to silently break into homes so they could make off with car keys came to an end due to an "enormous garda investigation" in the wake of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

Lorcan Staines, who is prosecuting two men alleged to have been part of the conspiracy to commit burglaries, said the group of men engaged in a particular type of burglary, known as a "creeper burglary", at homes throughout Ireland.