British spy Denis Donaldson confessing to being an MI5 agent flanked by Sinn Fein chiefs Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams in 2004
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.
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.”
For this full story see: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0615/1518547-denis-donaldson-fiosru/
In 2002 Denis Donaldson was one of three Sinn Fein members charged with involvement in an alleged spy ring at Stormont.
Hundreds of documents containing the personal details of policemen and prison warders were found hidden in the loft of Donaldson’s west Belfast home.
The arrests and a subsequent police raid on Sinn Fein offices at Stormont, where Mr Donaldson was the party’s head of administration, led to unionists walking out of the power-sharing executive.
Charges against the 56 year-old and his two co-accused were dropped without explanation three years later.
Two days later on December 10 he was informed by the PSNI that he was about to be exposed as an informer.
The 56 year-old informed Sinn Fein and was advised to go to his solicitor.
Three days later he admitted to senior republicans that he’d been working as an agent for MI5 and Special Branch for more than 20 years.
On Thursday December 15 Donaldson was telephoned at his home by his Special Branch handler ‘Lenny’.
The handler is understood to have asked “Do you remember me?”
“I understand you have had a visit from our uniform boys,” he said.
“I think it’s time we got together.”
‘Lenny’ then gave Donaldson a mobile contact phone.
That night Donaldson was officially expelled from Sinn Fein.
Later, in the presence of his solicitor, he attempted to contact ‘Lenny’ but the number went to answerphone.
At 9.30pm on December 16 a visibly shaken Donaldson appeared at a press conference in Dublin to admit his role as a double agent.
He revealed few details other than he had been a paid informer for more than 20 years.
After that press conference he went into hiding at a cottage in Donegal.
He continued to meet with senior Sinn Fein officials for a further seven days to give detailed accounts of his life as an informer.
Four months later on April 4, 2006, Denis Donaldson was shot dead at the cottage where he was hiding near Glenties in Co Donegal.
The Real IRA later admitted responsibility for the murder.
However, some republicans believed Donaldson was murdered by the Provisional IRA who allowed the Real IRA to make the claim of responsibility in a bid to hide its involvement as it was on ceasefire at the time.
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