Garda file on killing of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson due

Ex-Sinn Féin member Donaldson was shot dead at a remote Donegal cottage in 2006

Martin McGuinness, Denis Donaldson and Gerry Adams in Stormont in December 2005. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA
Martin McGuinness, Denis Donaldson and Gerry Adams in Stormont in December 2005. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA

A decision on a Garda file into the murder of former Sinn Féin member and British agent Denis Donaldson is expected to be taken by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the coming weeks.

Mr Donaldson (55) was shot dead at a remote cottage on the outskirts of Glenties, Co Donegal, in April 2006.

He had been living there since being exposed as an MI5 agent the previous year.

An inquest into Mr Donaldson’s death was adjourned for the 20th time on Wednesday at Letterkenny Coroner’s Court.

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Garda Supt Michael Finan told the court that the file on the murder is both “substantial and complex” but said it is “nearing completion.”

“A decision will be made on it in the coming weeks,” he said.

He applied to have a short adjournment in the case or up to six weeks.

The inquest had previously been adjourned on August 31st, 2016, after a person was charged with the alleged withholding of information about the death.

The inquest was adjourned until May 8th for mention.