A man has gone on trial accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in what was described as a “slick and highly-organised operation.”

Aaron Brady from New Road in Crossmaglen, County Armagh has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and robbery at a credit union in County Louth in 2013.

Opening his case today, prosecuting barrister Brendan Grehan said Detective Adrian Donohoe was shot dead outside Lordship Credit Union while on armed escort duty on a cold and wet night on January 25th 2013.

He was one of two armed detectives assigned to a convoy for the delivery of takings from several credit unions in the Carlingford Peninsula.

At about 9.30 pm, he said a car blocked them from leaving the car park and four athletic men wearing balaclavas jumped over a back wall and approached the convoy.

He said it will be alleged that two of them were armed and that one of them shot Detective Donohoe in the face from close range after he stepped out to see what was going on.

He said the detective didn't even have time to draw his weapon.

It will be alleged that €7,000 was then stolen before the raiders sped off towards the border. He said the getaway car was found burnt-out in Armagh.

All of the evidence is circumstantial, but Mr Grehan finished by telling the jurors he was confident they would be satisfied that Aaron Brady was guilty of capital murder and robbery.

The trial, which is set to run for 16 weeks, is due to begin hearing evidence tomorrow.

Reporting from Frank Greaney at the Central Criminal Court