Real IRA faction responsible for Donaldson death:reports

Gardai in Donegal are now said to be “satisfied” that a faction of the Real IRA was responsible for the murder of former Sinn Fein member Denis Donaldson.

The 56-year-old was found murdered in a cottage near Glenties in April 2006.

He had admitted in December 2005 he was a paid British agent in the 1980s, later fleeing his Belfast home and taking up residence in a remote cottage near Doochary, around 8 kilometres from Glenties.

According to reports in today’s Irish Independent, Gardai now believe he was shot dead by Derry-based Real IRA dissidents.

Officers are reported as following a number of lines of enquiry that have emerged in recent weeks.

The inquest into Mr Donaldson’s death was adjourned for third time last week.

Gardai said the investigation into the death was continuing and avenues of inquiry were actively being pursued but they took time.

The inquest will reconvene again in Letterkenny next August.