Justice Minister Helen McEntee has declined a request to create a commission of inquiry, led by a judge, into the assassination of Denis Donaldson, a former Sinn Féin representative and British agent, which occurred in Co Donegal nearly two decades ago.
Donaldson, aged 55, was once a confidant of ex-Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams. He was killed by the Real IRA in a remote cottage near Glenties in April 2006, four months following his exposure as a secret agent for MI5. Donaldson himself admitted that he had been living a double life for the preceding two decades.
Donaldson held a senior position in Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland and was a friend of Bobby Sands, spending time in Long Kesh prison. The revelation about his double life emerged while he was serving as the party’s main administrator in the Stormont Assembly, following the 1998 Belfast Agreement. The killer or killers have never been brought to justice.
Around three years ago, the Donaldson family asked the Government for an independent investigation into the matter, spearheaded by a judge. On Thursday, his family revealed that Ms McEntee had written to them earlier this week, denying their request.
The Justice Minister explained her decision to the family, stating, “in the current situation, particularly given the ongoing criminal investigation by An Garda Síochána in this area, I don’t think setting up an inquiry in this jurisdiction would be sensible.”
Meanwhile, responding to questions on Thursday, the Department of Justice labelled Donaldson’s assassination as “a cruel act of violence.” However, it noted a commission of inquiry might “compromise” the Garda’s investigation into the killing.
A spokesperson expressed regret that those responsible have not yet been brought to court to answer for their actions. Investigations connected to Donaldson’s death have been conducted both in Northern Ireland and this jurisdiction, he added.
Authorities of the Garda are currently engaged in a continuing probe into the homicide of Mr Donaldson. This active and open investigation has involved extensive examination and the family of Mr Donaldson has been assigned a liaison officer. The spokesperson explained that the inquest into the incident has been postponed due to the continuing criminal investigation. This delay, required in order to avoid undermining the criminal case, is anticipated to cause distress to Mr Donaldson’s family. Concerns have also been raised about considering setting up a commission of inquiry due to its potential impact on the Garda’s investigation.
Mr Donaldson’s family criticised the government for hampering the investigation. There have been 27 postponements in the coroner’s examination into Mr Donaldson’s demise so far. In a statement, the Donaldson family slammed the Irish authorities for the delays preventing them from identifying the truth surrounding the incident.
Speaking on the family’s behalf, Jane, Mr Donaldson’s daughter, expressed indignation at the contrasting treatment given to others, like agent Stakeknife, who were protected, unlike her father. She argued that state officials in both jurisdictions were involved and pressed for transparency to ensure that the public gained confidence. The case of Mr Donaldson is one of the 164 murders that have occurred post the establishment of the Belfast’s 1998 peace deal.