Man arrested in connection with Donaldson murder

A 70-YEAR-OLD has been arrested by gardaí in connection with the 2006 murder of ex-Sinn Féin member and MI5 spy Denis Donaldson.

The man was arrested in Donegal where the long- serving Sinn Féin member was murdered months after being outed as a British spy.

Gardaí would not confirm if the suspect is already known to the force, or if other individuals are also being sought.

However, they confirmed he is being held at Letterkenny Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. The man can be held for up to 24 hours, with officers allowed to seek an extension of a further 24 if they consider it necessary.

Mr Donaldson, 56, was found shot dead in his family cottage in Cloghercor, Doochary, Co Donegal, on April 4, 2006.

Two shotgun cartridges were found at the door of the cottage and a post mortem confirmed he died after being shot in the chest at close range.

The murder occurred just four months after Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams announced during a December 16, 2005, press conference that his party colleague was a spy.

This was confirmed by Mr Donaldson, who said he was recruited after compromising himself during a vulnerable time in his life. It has never been clarified why he was vulnerable or why he would risk his life.

On April 12, 2009, the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the shooting.