Latest news with #DenisDonaldson
Sunday World
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
An Garda Síochána facing legal action over Denis Donaldson investigation
The ombudsman said in a letter to the Donaldson family that it believed gardai had failed to fulfil a request for information necessary for its investigation. Fiosrú is taking An Garda Síochána to court over its failure to comply with an investigation into the murder of MI5 informant Denis Donaldson, it's been reported. Mr Donaldson, formerly a member of the IRA, was murdered in his Co Donegal cottage in 2006 several months after outing himself as a British spy. The Real IRA admitted to shooting the high-ranking Sinn Fein official three years later. The ombudsman said in a letter to the Donaldson family that it believed gardai had failed to fulfil a request for information necessary for its investigation. Double agent Denis Donaldson was shot dead in 2006 News in 90 Seconds - 15th June 2025 Fiosrú told the family it would begin legal proceedings in Dublin Circuit Civil Court seeking an order for disclosure, RTÉ also reported. An Garda Síochána declined for comment adding it did not remark on Fiosrú matters. Enda McGarrity, the Donaldson family's lawyer, said the watchdog's investigation had taken place over the course of three years. 'We now understand that Fiosrú are commencing legal proceedings against An Garda Síochána arising out of a failure to comply with aspects of the investigation,' she said. 'That's a matter of significant concern to the family because the body which is charged with investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson are now not only being investigated, but failing to comply with investigation and that gives rise to family's wider concern that the State are currently not delivering an effective investigation.' It comes after Gerry Adams won a defamation case against the BBC in May following a story in 2016 in which it was claimed he was linked to the murder of Mr Donaldson. The five-week trial centred on an anonymous source in a BBC NI Spotlight programme claiming Mr Adams had sanctioned the shooting by giving 'the final say'. The 76-year-old, who had always denied the allegation, described it as a 'grievous smear' and accused the BBC of upholding 'the ethos of the British state in Ireland'. Mr Adams was awarded €100,000 in damages by the High Court jury in Dublin. The BBC reported the legal bill could cost up to €4.9 and is understood to be one of the most expensive cases they have ever fought.
The Irish Sun
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Gardai face legal action over alleged failure during Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson's Donegal murder probe
GARDAI are facing legal action over an alleged failure to comply with a probe into the murder of Denis Donaldson, it has emerged. Policing oversight body Fiosru, which recently replaced the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission, has said it takes the view that 2 Denis Donaldson was shot at his family's remote cottage in the Glenties, Donegal Credit: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. It has decided to start proceedings in A letter seen by The Donaldson family has been informed of Fiosru's intention to launch the action. Enda McGarrity, the Donaldson family's solicitor, said the GSOC/Fiosru probe had been ongoing for three years. Read more in News He told 'That's a matter of significant concern to the family because the body which is charged with investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson are now not only being investigated, but failing to comply with investigation and that gives rise to family's wider concern that the State are currently not delivering an effective investigation.' Mr Donaldson, a senior His exposure came after he was accused of being part of a republican spy ring at Stormont, but the Most read in Irish News Mr Donaldson was shot at his family's remote cottage in the Glenties just four months later. His daughter Jane complained to GSOC three years ago over the Garda response to information regarding threats to her father's life. She claimed An Garda Siochana failed to take adequate measures to protect his life despite being told by the The Donaldson family is also seeking to have Denis' journal returned to them from Garda hands. Last Friday, the Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of Mr Donaldson, in which he denies any involvement. Last month, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him €100,000 after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader's legal costs. 2 Denis Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years Credit: PA:Press Association
RTÉ News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
An Garda Síochána facing legal action over Denis Donaldson investigation
A policing oversight body is taking legal action against An Garda Síochána over its failure to comply with an investigation into the murder of British agent Denis Donaldson in Co Donegal almost 20 years ago. Fiosrú, which replaced the Garda Síochána Ombudsman's Commission (GSOC), has informed the Donaldson family of the move. In a letter it said it took the view that gardaí had not complied with a request for information required for its investigation. Accordingly, it said the ombudsman had decided to commence proceedings in Dublin Circuit Civil Court seeking an order for disclosure, adding that the case was in its early stages. Both Fiosrú and An Garda Síochána declined to comment. An Garda Síochána said it did not comment on Fiosrú matters. The Donaldson's family solicitor, Enda McGarrity, said the Fiosrú investigation had been ongoing for three years. "We now understand that Fiosrú are commencing legal proceedings against An Garda Síochána arising out of a failure to comply with aspects of the investigation. "That's a matter of significant concern to the family because the body which is charged with investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson are now not only being investigated, but failing to comply with investigation and that gives rise to family's wider concern that the State are currently not delivering an effective investigation." Taoiseach Micheál Martin said on Friday that he would be happy to meet the Donaldson family to discuss their concerns. Denis Donaldson was a senior Sinn Féin official working at Stormont who had been accused of being part of a republican spy-ring there. He was exposed as a long-standing British agent when the criminal case against him and others was discontinued in December 2005. He was shot dead in the family's remote cottage near Glenties in April 2006, weeks after he had been photographed and spoken to there by a newspaper journalist. Three years ago Mr Donaldson's daughter, Jane, complained to GSOC raising concerns about how the gardaí had responded to information about the threat to her father's life. She claimed that despite being told by the PSNI of an increased risk to Mr Donaldson's life after he was approached by the media, it failed to take adequate measures to protect him. Dissident republicans claimed the murder, but the family say it has an "open mind" about who was responsible. Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams successfully sued the BBC after it broadcast a documentary claiming he had sanctioned the shooting. He had vehemently denied the accusation. An inquest into the circumstances of Mr Donaldson's murder has been adjourned on 27 occasions due to the ongoing garda murder investigation. The family is also keen to have their father's journal returned. Gardaí have declined to return it, despite earlier assurances that it would be handed back. The family believes it may cast light on the lead up to Mr Donaldson's murder. They would like the Irish Government to establish a commission of investigation which can take evidence in both open and closed hearings. They believe it is the best way to get to the truth of what happened. An investigation by Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman found the PSNI had failed to carry out a formal updated risk assessment on Mr Donaldson after he was visited by the media. The family is taking a civil action against the police and others on the basis of that report.
South Wales Guardian
14-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
BBC will not appeal against Adams' defamation case victory
Mr Adams, a former president of Sinn Fein, said there needed to be 'substantial reform' of the broadcaster. Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, in which he denies any involvement. Last month, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 euros (£84,000) after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader's legal costs. After the decision, the broadcaster's legal team was granted a stay in the payment of the full award as it took time to consider an appeal. However, on Friday, the BBC confirmed it would not pursue an appeal. A spokesperson said: 'We have given careful consideration to the jury's decision. 'We will not be appealing its verdict, bringing this matter to a conclusion. 'We remain committed to public interest journalism and to serving all BBC audiences.' In a statement issued through the Sinn Fein press office on Friday, Mr Adams said: 'The decision not to appeal by the British Broadcasting Corporation has to be followed by a substantial reform of its internal journalistic processes and a recognition that it cannot continue to be a voice for the British state in Ireland. 'It must also become more accountable to the public. 'The Dublin Court found the BBC guilty of libel and rejected its claim that its journalism was fair and reasonable and in the public interest. 'The British Broadcasting Corporation is a public service provider. There is an onus on the BBC to ensure that in the future its ethics and journalism reflect the principles and values of a public broadcast service. 'As I have already said the damages will be donated to good causes.'
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
BBC will not appeal against Adams' defamation case victory
Mr Adams, a former president of Sinn Fein, said there needed to be 'substantial reform' of the broadcaster. Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, in which he denies any involvement. Last month, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him 100,000 euros (£84,000) after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader's legal costs. After the decision, the broadcaster's legal team was granted a stay in the payment of the full award as it took time to consider an appeal. However, on Friday, the BBC confirmed it would not pursue an appeal. A spokesperson said: 'We have given careful consideration to the jury's decision. 'We will not be appealing its verdict, bringing this matter to a conclusion. 'We remain committed to public interest journalism and to serving all BBC audiences.' In a statement issued through the Sinn Fein press office on Friday, Mr Adams said: 'The decision not to appeal by the British Broadcasting Corporation has to be followed by a substantial reform of its internal journalistic processes and a recognition that it cannot continue to be a voice for the British state in Ireland. 'It must also become more accountable to the public. 'The Dublin Court found the BBC guilty of libel and rejected its claim that its journalism was fair and reasonable and in the public interest. 'The British Broadcasting Corporation is a public service provider. There is an onus on the BBC to ensure that in the future its ethics and journalism reflect the principles and values of a public broadcast service. 'As I have already said the damages will be donated to good causes.'
