Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3369Murder · Co. Donegal · 4 Apr 2006

Antoin Duffy remanded in custody over Denis Donaldson murder charges

Antoin Duffy, 49, was remanded in custody at the Special Criminal Court on 13 April 2026, facing six charges including the murder of former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson, who was shot dead in Co Donegal in April 2006 after being exposed as an MI5 informant. Duffy was extradited from Scotland, where he had been serving a sentence for his part in a plot to murder UDA members, and is due to appear again on 8 June 2026 for service of the book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDonaldson was shot dead at an isolated cottage in Co Donegal 20 years ago (irishtimes.com)
  • whereDuffy is from Braade, Kincasslagh, Co Donegal (irishtimes.com)
  • whereDonaldson went to live at an isolated cottage near Glenties in southwest Donegal where he was shot dead on April 4th, 2006 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe hearing took place two weeks after Duffy was extradited from Scotland (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe arrest was carried out with the assistance of the Garda Síochána Extradition Unit, Garda National Bureau of Investigation and the Irish Air Corps (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDuffy faces six charges including murder of Donaldson and possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life at Cloghercor, Doochary, Co Donegal, between April 3rd and April 4th, 2006 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDuffy is charged with the attempted murder of Liam McGinley on November 19th, 2007, at Meenaboll, Churchill in Co Donegal (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDuffy is charged with possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life on the same date and location as the McGinley attempted murder (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDuffy was remanded in custody until June for service of the book of evidence (irishtimes.com)
  • courtDuffy appeared before the Special Criminal Court via video-link (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA prosecution solicitor sought an eight-week remand for service of the book of evidence, noting two books will be served (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Tony Hunt remanded Duffy in custody and directed him to appear via video-link on June 8th (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDuffy had been in prison in Scotland following his 2015 conviction for his part in a plot to murder members of the UDA (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDonaldson was a former member of the Provisional IRA and a high-ranking Sinn Féin official (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe PSNI informed Donaldson he was about to be exposed in the media as an MI5 informer (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDonaldson admitted he had been working for MI5 and the special branch unit of the RUC for more than 20 years (irishtimes.com)
  • otherOn December 16th, 2005, Donaldson held a press conference in Dublin acknowledging his role as a double agent (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA dissident republican organisation calling itself the Real IRA later claimed responsibility for the murder (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Apr2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man accused of Denis Donaldson murder remanded in custody until June

    Duffy appeared via video-link at the Special Criminal Court and was remanded in custody until 8 June 2026 for service of the book of evidence. The article provides background on Donaldson's exposure as an MI5 informant and Duffy's prior conviction in Scotland.

    victim, Denis Donaldson, male, irish (judged from name)Denis Donaldsonsuspect, Antoin Duffy, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)Antoin Duffyvictim, Liam McGinley, male, irish (judged from name)Liam McGinley