Donaldson died from shotgun blast to the chest

MURDERED British spy Denis Donaldson died from a shotgun blast to the chest, preliminary post mortem results have shown.

Gardaí investigating the murder said results also indicate a severe shotgun blast injury to his right hand. This may have been a defensive wound. Technical examination of the scene will continue today.

Donaldson had turned down garda protection despite being warned his life was in danger, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday.