Sinn Féin chauffeur named as security force informer

A west Belfast republican who drove Sinn Féin’s leadership to peace process negotiations has been named as a security force informer.

The former chauffeur was taken into the “protective custody” of a branch of the intelligence services, the party said today.

He was not a member of Sinn Féin and had not been privy to any secrets, the representative added.

A spokesman said: “We are not surprised by this development. The party leadership had concerns about this individual for some time over the past number of years.

“He was sidelined to the point of being removed from any work.”

He was part of a pool of drivers conveying Sinn Féin to talks at Stormont and other venues a number of years ago during the peace process.

The spokesman added: “He was never privy to sensitive information, he was not a member of Sinn Féin. Republicans will be disappointed but not surprised at the news.

“The man has left his family, they have to pick up the pieces and that is a matter for him to address.

“He is under no threat from republicans. If he wishes to return, it is up to him to make peace with his community and in particular his family.”

The development follows the unmasking of Sinn Féin’s former head of staff at Stormont, Denis Donaldson, 56, as a secret agent in December 2005.

He was expelled from the party and shot dead near Glenties, Co Donegal, the following April.

He was arrested for alleged spying at Stormont in 2002, which led to the Assembly’s collapse but charges were subsequently dropped.