James Donegan, a 66-year-old man is sought by Northern Irish authorities for allegedly murdering Joseph James Porter, a part-time Ulster Defence Regiment member in Co Armagh, roughly 45 years ago. Mr Donegan made an appearance at the High Court earlier this week due to being served with an extradition warrant. Upon his return from a holiday break, he had a rendezvous with the Gardaí at Dublin airport where he was arrested, yet claimed his innocence.
Donegan, a resident of Bruce Manor, Arva in Co Cavan, is not only wanted for the supposed murder of 64-year-old Porter in Mountnorris, Co Armagh, between June 22nd and 25th, 1979, but also on another charge. This involves an accusation of possession of a firearm and ammunition intended to be used in a life-threatening act, as well being a member of an outlawed group, the Irish Republican Army.
Having been arrested by the Garda Extradition Unit’s detectives at Dublin Airport on Monday, Donegan’s arrest came subsequent to the acknowledgment of a warrant issued by Northern Ireland Authorities under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TaCA).
The warrant details that Porter’s deceased body was discovered near his farm entrance at Creggan Road, Mountnorris on June 24, 1979. A postmortem carried out the same day ascertained that the cause of death was due to gunshot wounds to his head and torso.
Before Porter’s death, he was known to be part-time UDR member. Det Sgt Adrian Murray of the Garda Extradition Unit delineated the three charges against Donegan brought up before Judge Patrick McGrath at the High Court on Monday. According to this, the warrant is associated with Donegan allegedly perpetrating these offences in June 1979.
While being cross-examined, Det Sgt Murray agreed with Barrister Stephen Faulkner that Donegan had been cooperative during the process. The Detective shared that he had previously tried to implement the warrant but couldn’t find Donegan at home, who then agreed to meet with him after his holiday. Justice McGrath suggested that granting bail in this case was suitable.
The attorney representing the Minister of Justice alerted the magistrate to the fact that a third party had posted an independent guarantee totalling €15,000, committing to maintain their bank balance at this figure or more. Det Sgt Murray confirmed his satisfaction with this guarantee.
The investigator concurred with Mr Faulkner that Mr Donegan is booked in for cardiac surgery on the 8th of July.
Upon certain conditions, the court offered Mr Donegan bail. As per the conditions, Mr Donegan has to inhabit his Garvagh residence in Co Cavan, check in at the Cavan Garda station between the hours of 9 in the morning and 9 in the evening three times a week, make his presence felt at all court procedures, submit a cell phone number to the police which he is required to keep with him all the time and promise not to request any further passport or travel paperwork.
Judge McGrath adjourned Mr Donegan’s case, while he remains on bail, until the 4th of July.