Trial date for man charged with Denis Donaldson murder 20 years ago to be set next month

The trial date of a man charged with the 2006 murder of British spy Denis Donaldson is to be fixed next month, a court in Dublin has heard. Denis Donaldson is pictured here in 2005. Picture: PA

The trial date of a man charged with the 2006 murder of British spy Denis Donaldson is to be fixed next month, a court in Dublin has heard.

Antoin Duffy, in his 40s, of no fixed address, appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday via video link from prison.

He is charged with the murder of Mr Donaldson in Cloghercor, Doochary, Co Donegal, between April 3 and 4 2006 after being extradited from Scotland earlier this year.

He was also charged with possession of a shotgun and ammunition “with intent to endanger life” at the same date and location.

He was also charged with the attempted murder of a second man, Liam Copeland McGinley, at Meenaboll in Co Donegal, on November 19 2007, and also charged with possession of a shotgun and possession of ammunition on the same date.

Mr Donaldson, 55, was shot dead at a remote cottage near Glentie, months after he was exposed as a paid agent for Special Branch and MI5 since the 1980s.

In 2009, dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed the killing.

Mr Donaldson was also a former administrator for Sinn Féin’s Stormont Assembly team.

Appearing before the non-jury court on Monday, a barrister representing Mr Duffy confirmed that he has been served with the book of evidence papers.

He said that his client would be seeking legal aid, adding that the solicitor for the defendant is Cormac McDonnell.

Justice Caroline Biggs gave the defendant the alibi warning, and said that if he in any way relies on an alibi then all details of it should be supplied within 14 days.

The case has been adjourned until November 9 when a trial date is expected to be set.