Ireland Case No. 3079Murder · Co. Donegal · 12 Feb 2008
Woman released without charge in 2008 Donegal murder investigation
Andrew Burns, a 27-year-old Strabane native and painter and decorator, was shot twice in the back on a roadway close to Donnyloop Church, Castlefin, Co Donegal, on 12 February 2008. Martin Kelly, 37, linked to the dissident group Óglaigh na hÉireann, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder in 2012. A woman in her 60s was arrested on 14 May 2026 under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 in connection with the murder and was released without charge on 15 May 2026. Gardaí will prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions and continue to appeal for information about a red van believed to have been in the area around 7pm on the night of the killing.
- Reported11 Feb
3 reports - Arrested1 May
7 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Andrew Burns, a 27-year-old Strabane native and painter and decorator, was shot twice in the back on a roadway close to Donnyloop Church, Castlefin, Co Donegal, on 12 February 2008.
- Where
- The murder took place at Donnyloop, Castlefin, Co Donegal.
- When
- The shooting occurred shortly after 7pm on 12 February 2008, and Burns was pronounced dead shortly before 8pm.
- Cause
- Burns was killed in a dissident-linked shooting in which a gunman fired at him and a second shot proved fatal.
- Weapon
- Burns received gunshot wounds.
- In court
- Martin Kelly, 37, linked to the dissident group Óglaigh na hÉireann, was convicted of the murder in 2012.
- Sentence
- Martin Kelly was sentenced to life in prison for the murder in 2012.
- Investigation
- A woman in her 60s was arrested on 14 May 2026 under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a Garda station in Donegal and was released without charge on 15 May 2026.
- Gardaí will prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions following the woman's release.
- Gardaí are appealing for information about a red van believed to have been in the Donnyloop area around 7pm on 12 February 2008, which they do not believe was connected to the murder.
- Other details
- The murder was linked to the dissident republican group Óglaigh na hÉireann, and Gardaí believe a number of individuals were involved.
- Kelly was told to bring Burns from Strabane to Donnyloop for a punishment shooting, drove him to the church car park where three men were waiting in a hedge, and after the shooting drove them back across the border.
98 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAndrew Burns was 27 years old at the time of his murder (donegallive.ie)
- whatAndrew Burns was a 27-year-old painter and decorator (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was shot twice in the back (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe investigation concerns a murder. (garda.ie)
- whatAndrew Burns was murdered in 2008. (garda.ie, donegallive.ie)
- whatAndrew Burns was murdered in Co Donegal in 2008. (rte.ie)
- whatA woman has been arrested in connection with the 2008 murder of Andrew Burns. (rte.ie)
- whatA woman in her 60s has been arrested in connection with the murder of Andrew Burns. (donegallive.ie)
- whatA woman in her 60s was arrested in connection with the murder of Andrew Burns (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim was shot twice in the back (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKelly was told to bring Burns from his home in Strabane to Donnyloop for a punishment shooting (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThree men were waiting in a hedge at the church car park (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAndrew Burns was a Strabane native (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe murder was dissident linked (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMartin Kelly was linked to the Óglaigh na hÉireann group (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKelly was told to bring Burns from Strabane to Donnyloop for a punishment shooting (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKelly drove the victim to the church car park where three men were waiting in a hedge (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA gunman fired at Burns, who ran but was hit by a second fatal shot (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAll three men got into Kelly's car and he drove them back across the border (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThey stopped to hide the gun in a hedge (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHe was found on a roadway close to Donnyloop Church (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder happened at Donnyloop, Castlefin, Co. Donegal. (garda.ie)
- whereBurns was shot dead at Donnyloop, Castlefin, Co Donegal. (rte.ie)
- whereAndrew Burns was murdered at Doneyloop, Castlefin. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe victim was shot on a roadway close to Donnyloop Church, Co Donegal (irishmirror.ie)
- whereAndrew Burns, aged 27, was murdered at Donnyloop in Castlefin. (rte.ie)
- whereMr Burns was later found on a road close to Donnyloop Church. (rte.ie)
- whereThe killing happened at Doneyloop, Castlefin. (donegallive.ie)
- whereShe was held at a Garda station in the North West region (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe shooting took place on a roadway close to Donnyloop Church (irishmirror.ie)
- whenAndrew Burns was murdered at Doneyloop, Castlefin on 12 February 2008 (donegallive.ie)
- whenAndrew Burns received gunshot wounds shortly after 7pm on the evening of 12 February 2008 (donegallive.ie)
- whenAndrew Burns was pronounced dead shortly before 8pm (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe appeal was renewed on the 15th anniversary of Andrew Burns' death (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe appeal was renewed ahead of the 15th anniversary of the murder. (extra.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred on 12 February 2008 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe woman was arrested on Thursday 14 May 2026. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder happened on Tuesday, 12 February 2008. (garda.ie)
- whenA red van was believed to have been in the Donnyloop area around 7pm on 12 February 2008. (rte.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on 12 February 2008. (donegallive.ie, rte.ie)
- whenMr Burns was pronounced dead shortly before 8pm. (rte.ie)
- whenThe killing happened on 12 February 2008. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe shooting occurred on 12 February 2008 (irishmirror.ie)
- causeAndrew Burns received a number of gunshot wounds. (donegallive.ie)
- causeMr Burns received a number of gunshot wounds. (rte.ie)
- causeMr Burns was shot twice in the back. (donegallive.ie)
- causeA second shot was fired, which proved fatal. (donegallive.ie)
- causeAndrew Burns was killed by Óglaigh na hÉireann (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponBurns received a number of gunshot wounds. (rte.ie)
- weaponA gunman fired at Mr Burns. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to the occupant or occupants of a red vehicle believed to have been in the car park at Doneyloop church at around 7pm on 12 February 2008 (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe investigation team does not believe the red vehicle occupants were connected to the murder (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí renewed their appeal for information in connection with the murder. (extra.ie)
- investigationThe investigation team appealed to the occupant or occupants of a red vehicle at Donnyloop church car park (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation team do not believe the red vehicle occupants were connected with the murder (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation team is based at Letterkenny Garda station (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe woman was released without charge. (garda.ie, donegallive.ie)
- investigationA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Letterkenny are continuing to investigate the murder. (garda.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 60s was arrested in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for the occupant or occupants of a red van believed to have been in the Donnyloop area around 7pm on the evening of the murder. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. (rte.ie)
- investigationAnyone with information can contact Letterkenny Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe woman was arrested earlier on the day the article was published. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe woman is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a Garda station in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationDetectives believe a number of individuals were involved in the incident. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for information about a red van believed to have been in the Doneyloop area. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí say their investigations are ongoing. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe woman is being held pursuant to Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for information about a red van in the area of Donnyloop, Castlefin, Co Donegal at around 7pm on 12 February 2008 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationKelly was interviewed by gardaí and PSNI at a hotel in Northern Ireland where he admitted to his role (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 60s was arrested in relation to the murder and has been released without charge. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí will prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions after the woman's release. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe a number of people were involved in the murder. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are seeking the occupant or occupants of a red van believed to have been in the Donnyloop area around 7pm on the evening of the murder. (rte.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 60s was arrested on a Thursday under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a Garda station in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí will prepare a file for the DPP. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí appeal for information about a red van believed to have been in the Doneyloop area around 7pm on 12 February 2008. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí say the investigation is ongoing. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 60s was arrested in connection with the murder of Andrew Burns in Co Donegal (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe woman was released without charge on Friday 15 May 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe several people were involved in the murder (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationKelly was interviewed by gardaí and PSNI at a hotel in Northern Ireland where he admitted his role (irishmirror.ie)
- courtOne person has been convicted of the murder and is serving a life sentence (donegallive.ie, rte.ie)
- courtMartin Kelly was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder in 2012 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtIn 2012, Martin Kelly was jailed for life. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceOne person has previously been convicted of the murder and is serving a life sentence. (rte.ie)
- otherIt is believed a number of individuals were involved in the murder (donegallive.ie, rte.ie)
- otherMartin Kelly was jailed for life for the murder in 2012 (irishtimes.com)
- otherMartin Kelly was a gunman linked to the dissident republican group Óglaigh na hÉireann (irishtimes.com)
- otherA number of individuals are believed to have been involved in the murder (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe woman is detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a garda station in the North-Western Region. (garda.ie)
- otherA Family Liaison Officer is supporting the family of the deceased. (garda.ie, rte.ie, donegallive.ie)
- otherThe woman is detained at a garda station in the north west region. (rte.ie)
- otherThe murder was linked to the dissident group Óglaigh na hÉireann (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim was a Strabane native (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA Family Liaison Officer supports Mr Burns's family. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 May2026Woman held in Andrew Burns murder probe released without charge
Reports the release without charge of a woman in her 60s arrested in the Andrew Burns murder investigation, and provides background on the 2008 killing and Martin Kelly's 2012 life sentence conviction.
victim, Andrew Burns, male, non-irish (judged from name)Andrew Burnsconvicted, Martin Kelly, male, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Martin Kellysuspect, 60s, female - 15 May2026Woman arrested in Andrew Burns murder probe released as Gardai ready file for DPP
Reports a May 2026 arrest of a woman in her 60s in connection with the 2008 killing, her release without charge, and a planned file to the DPP. Also gives background on the 2012 conviction of Martin Kelly and an appeal for information about a red van.
victim, Andrew Burns, male, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burnssuspect, 60s, femaleconvicted, Martin Kelly, 37, male, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Martin Kelly - 15 May2026Woman released in Donegal murder investigation
Reports the arrest and release without charge of a woman in her 60s, and that a file will go to the DPP. One person has already been convicted and is serving a life sentence for the murder.
- 15 May2026Woman arrested over dissident murder of Andrew Burns in Donegal
New arrest of a woman in her 60s under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939; Gardaí appealing for information about a red van near the scene on the night of the murder.
victim, Andrew Burns, male, non-irish (judged from name)Andrew Burnssuspect, 60s, femaleconvicted, Martin Kelly, male, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Martin Kelly - 14 May2026Woman (60s) arrested in relation to murder of Andrew Burns in Doneyloop
Woman in her 60s arrested and detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a Donegal Garda station. No charge is reported. Gardaí are appealing for information about a red van.
victim, Andrew Burns, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burnssuspect, 60s, female - 14 May2026Woman arrested in relation to 2008 murder of Andrew Burns
Reports that a woman in her 60s was arrested in relation to the 2008 murder, is detained at a garda station in the north west, and that gardaí renewed their appeal for information and the red van sighting.
victim, Andrew Burns, 27, male, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burnssuspect, 60s, female - 1 May2026Update: Arrest - Andrew Burns Murder Investigation, 12th February 2008
Reports the arrest on 14 May 2026 of a woman in her 60s under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, and renews the appeal about a red van. No earlier case for this incident is in the list.
victim, Andrew Burns, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burnssuspect, 60s, female - 1 May2026Update (2) : Arrest - Andrew Burns Murder Investigation, 12th February 2008
Garda update: a woman in her 60s arrested on 14 May 2026 has been released without charge and a file will go to the DPP. No existing case in the list matches this investigation.
suspect, 60s, femalevictim, Andrew Burns, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burns - 11 Feb2023Gardaí renew appeal for information on murder of Andrew Burns 15 years ago
Gardaí renewed their appeal for information on the 15th anniversary of the murder, specifically appealing to the occupant or occupants of a red vehicle at Donnyloop church car park, and noted that a number of individuals are believed to have been involved.
victim, Andrew Burns, 27, male, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burnsconvicted, Martin Kelly, 37, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Martin Kelly - 11 Feb2023Gardai Renew Appeal For Information Ahead Of 15th Anniversary Of Andrew Burns' Murder
Gardaí renewed their appeal for information ahead of the 15th anniversary of the murder.
victim, Andrew Burns, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burns - 11 Feb2023Gardaí renew appeal for information into the murder of Andrew Burns at Doneyloop, Castlefin
Gardaí renewed their appeal for information on the 15th anniversary of the murder, specifically appealing to the occupant or occupants of a red vehicle in the car park at Doneyloop church at around 7pm on 12 February 2008, and confirmed one person has been convicted and is serving a life sentence.
victim, Andrew Burns, 27, male, irish (judged from name)Andrew Burns