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27/08/2010
'Spy' Donaldson's Inquest Postponed
An inquest into the brutal shotgun murder of alleged Sinn Féin 'spy' Denis Donaldson has been adjourned for the fifth time in the Irish Republic.
At the request of Gardaí the decision on the holding of an inquest into the murder has been postponed for the fifth time.
That's even though the family of Mr Donaldson criticised the fact that an inquest had yet to take place more than four years after his death.
But, Counsel for the State, Stephen Byrne, argued the Gardaí were dealing with "a very complex investigation".
The high-ranking Sinn Fein man was killed in 2006 just months after publicly admitting his role as a Special Branch and MI5 informer.
Now, the police said the inquest needed to be put back because their murder investigation was making progress, a claim that the lawyer of Mr Donaldson's family has rejected.
Ironically, too, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has hit out at Gardaí over their "continued opposition," which he described as "unacceptable and inexcusable".
"There has been an unnecessary delay in setting a date for the inquest into the killing of Denis Donaldson. This has caused further and needless distress to the Donaldson family," Mr Adams said.
Mr Donaldson had been Sinn Fein's top administrator at Stormont and the news of his double identity threw his party colleagues into crisis when he confessed to being a paid spy for the RUC's Special Branch and for MI5 for 20 years.
Four months later, his killers forced their way into his remote cottage near Glenties in Co Donegal in April 2006, armed with a sledgehammer and a shotgun.
Mr Donaldson was shot four times as he tried to flee and died from his injuries.
(BMcC/GK)
At the request of Gardaí the decision on the holding of an inquest into the murder has been postponed for the fifth time.
That's even though the family of Mr Donaldson criticised the fact that an inquest had yet to take place more than four years after his death.
But, Counsel for the State, Stephen Byrne, argued the Gardaí were dealing with "a very complex investigation".
The high-ranking Sinn Fein man was killed in 2006 just months after publicly admitting his role as a Special Branch and MI5 informer.
Now, the police said the inquest needed to be put back because their murder investigation was making progress, a claim that the lawyer of Mr Donaldson's family has rejected.
Ironically, too, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has hit out at Gardaí over their "continued opposition," which he described as "unacceptable and inexcusable".
"There has been an unnecessary delay in setting a date for the inquest into the killing of Denis Donaldson. This has caused further and needless distress to the Donaldson family," Mr Adams said.
Mr Donaldson had been Sinn Fein's top administrator at Stormont and the news of his double identity threw his party colleagues into crisis when he confessed to being a paid spy for the RUC's Special Branch and for MI5 for 20 years.
Four months later, his killers forced their way into his remote cottage near Glenties in Co Donegal in April 2006, armed with a sledgehammer and a shotgun.
Mr Donaldson was shot four times as he tried to flee and died from his injuries.
(BMcC/GK)
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Gardaí have arrested a man, aged in his 40s, in connection with the murder of Denis Donaldson. Mr Donaldson, who was a senior Sinn Féin official, was shot at his cottage near Glenties in Co Donegal in April 2006. He was previously exposed as an MI5 agent. The suspect has been detained at Letterkenny Garda Station.
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Gardaí have arrested a man, aged in his 40s, in connection with the murder of Denis Donaldson. Mr Donaldson, who was a senior Sinn Féin official, was shot at his cottage near Glenties in Co Donegal in April 2006. He was previously exposed as an MI5 agent. The suspect has been detained at Letterkenny Garda Station.
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Two Men Arrested In Connection With 2006 Murder Of Denis Donaldson
Gardaí investigating the death of Denis Donaldson in 2006 have arrested two men in Co Donegal. Mr Donaldson, a senior Sinn Féin official, had been exposed as an agent for M15 in 2005. He was shot dead at an isolated cottage near Glenties, Co Donegal where he'd been living since his exposure.
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Gardaí investigating the death of Denis Donaldson in 2006 have arrested two men in Co Donegal. Mr Donaldson, a senior Sinn Féin official, had been exposed as an agent for M15 in 2005. He was shot dead at an isolated cottage near Glenties, Co Donegal where he'd been living since his exposure.
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Two Arrested In Donaldson Murder Case
Gardai investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson in April 2006 have arrested two men. A 70-year-old man and a second man in his 30s, were arrested last night in connection with the murder. Donaldson, a member of Sinn Féin, was gunned down at his remote home at Cloghercor, Doochary, Co. Donegal.
Two Arrested In Donaldson Murder Case
Gardai investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson in April 2006 have arrested two men. A 70-year-old man and a second man in his 30s, were arrested last night in connection with the murder. Donaldson, a member of Sinn Féin, was gunned down at his remote home at Cloghercor, Doochary, Co. Donegal.
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