Ireland Donegal man accused of Denis Donaldson murder appears at Special Criminal Court
Denis Donaldson, a British man aged 55, was shot dead at a remote cottage near Glentie, Cloghercor, Doochary, Co Donegal, between April 3 and 4, 2006. The Real IRA claimed the killing in 2009. Antoin Duffy, of Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, in his 40s according to one report and 50 according to another, was extradited from Scotland earlier in 2026 and charged with the murder, and with possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday, 27 July 2026, where his lawyer expressed concern about delays in serving the book of evidence. The matter was put back to October 12, when the DPP is due to serve the second book of evidence in the new legal term, and a bail application by Duffy remains pending.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Jul
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Denis Donaldson, a British man aged 55, was shot dead in 2006.
- Antoin Duffy of Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, is in his 40s according to one report and 50 according to another.
- Where
- The killing is alleged to have happened at Cloghercor, Doochary, Co Donegal, at a remote cottage near Glentie.
- When
- The murder is alleged to have happened between April 3 and 4, 2006.
- Other details
- Duffy was extradited from Scotland earlier in 2026.
- Duffy is currently serving a sentence in the UK for plotting the murders of Ulster Defence Association members.
- The Real IRA claimed the killing in 2009.
- Charges
- Duffy is charged with the murder of Denis Donaldson, and with possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life on the same date and at the same location.
- Duffy is also charged with the attempted murder of Liam Copeland McGinley at Meenaboll, Co Donegal, on November 19, 2007.
- In court
- Duffy appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Monday, 27 July 2026.
- The defence expressed concern about delays because the book of evidence has not yet been served.
- A bail application by Duffy is pending, and Duffy wishes to apply for bail.
- The matter was put back to October 12.
- Investigation
- The DPP is not yet in a position to serve the second book of evidence, which the DPP will serve in the new legal term on October 12.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAntoin Duffy of Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, has been brought before the Special Criminal Court accused of the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson. (gript.ie)
- whereThe murder is alleged to have happened in Cloghercor, Doochary, Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe offences are alleged to have taken place at Cloghercor, Doochary, Co Donegal. (gript.ie)
- whenThe murder is alleged to have happened between April 3 and 4, 2006. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe offences are alleged to have taken place between 3 and 4 April 2006. (gript.ie)
- causeMr Donaldson was shot dead at a remote cottage near Glentie. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution said the second book of evidence was to be served in October. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe DPP is not yet in a position to serve the book of evidence. (gript.ie)
- chargeAntoin Duffy is charged with the murder of Denis Donaldson. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeDuffy is also charged with possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life on the same date and location. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeDuffy is also charged with the attempted murder of Liam Copeland McGinley at Meenaboll, Co Donegal, on November 19, 2007. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeDuffy is charged with the murder of Denis Donaldson and possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life. (gript.ie)
- courtDuffy appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday. (donegallive.ie)
- courtA pending bail application has been delayed because the second book of evidence has not been served. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe matter was put back to October 12. (donegallive.ie)
- courtDuffy appeared before the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin. (gript.ie)
- courtThe defence expressed concern at numerous delays in the case, with the book of evidence not yet served. (gript.ie)
- courtThe DPP will serve the book of evidence in the new legal term on 12 October. (gript.ie)
- otherThe Real IRA claimed the killing in 2009. (donegallive.ie)
- otherDuffy wishes to apply for bail. (gript.ie)
- otherDuffy is currently serving a sentence in the UK following a conviction for plotting the murders of members of the Ulster Defence Association. (gript.ie)
- otherThe state is ready to serve a book of evidence for a separate attempted murder offence against Liam McGinley, allegedly committed in Donegal in November 2007. (gript.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jul2026Denis Donaldson murder accused at Special Criminal Court - Gript
Reports Duffy's appearance before the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin, the defence complaint about delays, the DPP's plan to serve the book of evidence on 12 October in the new legal term, and Duffy's intention to apply for bail.
accused, Antoin Duffy, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Antoin Duffyvictim, Denis Donaldson, irish (judged from name)Denis Donaldson - 27 Jul2026Lawyer for Denis Donaldson murder-accused concerned over delays
Court report on the Special Criminal Court appearance of Antoin Duffy; the second book of evidence is due by October 12 and a bail application is pending.
accused, Antoin Duffy, 40s, male, named, irish (judged from name)Antoin Duffyvictim, Denis Donaldson, 55, male, British, non-irishDenis Donaldson