Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has rejected calls for a judge-led commission of inquiry into the murder of Denis Donaldson, a former senior Sinn Féin official and MI5 agent, in Co Donegal 18 years ago. Donaldson was shot dead in a remote cottage in Glenties in April 2006, and no one has been convicted in connection with his murder.
Despite requests from well-known figures, including former Northern Ireland police ombudsman Nuala O’Loan, McEntee has refused to establish an inquiry, citing an ongoing criminal investigation. Donaldson’s family has alleged police complicity in his murder, but the government has not addressed their concerns.
Donaldson’s daughter, Jane, criticized the government for its double standards on legacy cases from the Troubles, noting the lack of accountability in her father’s murder. While a report by Northern Ireland’s Police Ombudsman found no evidence of leaked information by PSNI officers, questions remain about who was responsible.
The family continues to seek answers and justice for Donaldson, questioning the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in unresolved cases from the conflict.