Dissident threat - Continuity IRA left reeling over high-level informer

Dissident threat - Continuity IRA left reeling over high-level informer

16 October 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey


The Continuity IRA has been left reeling after a leading member was taken into Garda protective custody after it emerged that he was a high-level informer.

Garda Special Branch officers are understood to have brought the Co Donegal man into a protection scheme after the CIRA suspected him of tipping off the security forces about plans to kill a Catholic police recruit in Co Fermanagh last November.

Dissident chiefs are believed to have launched a hunt for an informer within their ranks after two of its most senior members were arrested and later charged in the well-planned security force ambush.

Security sources confirmed that the Ballyshannon man and his family are in protective custody.

There is growing speculation that the move may be linked to the discovery of a number of arms dumps in the Republic in recent weeks.  It is understood that the 38-year-old first agreed to begin working for Garda Special Branch while he was awaiting trial on serious fraud charges last year.  When he appeared in court he admitted charges of defrauding a finance company over hire purchase agreements.  However, the case was unexpectedly adjourned to allow him to repay the money.

Dissident sources last night said that the man came under suspicion shortly after a security force ambush in Garrison last year.

Irish army reserve soldier Gerard James McManus, from Fern Hill in Letterkenny, was arrested hiding in a shed in the village after a gun battle with undercover police who had been hiding in the home of the Catholic police trainee.

During questioning Mr McManus said he had only opened fire after being shot at by police.  He said that he had aimed his gun away from police and had not intended to kill.

Kevin Barry Nolan (32) from Main Street, Blacklion in Co Cavan, was arrested after undercover police rammed a getaway car he was driving.  The 32-year-old had previously stood as an independent republican candidate in council elections in Co Fermanagh in 2005.

In March it emerged that Tyrone man Martin Kelly had been taken into protective custody in the Republic and had agreed to co-operate with detectives investigating the dissident murder of Strabane man Andrew Burns in 2008.

In November 2007 Letterkenny man Liam McGinley was taken into protective custody after passing on information to gardai about the Real IRA murder of Sinn Fein administrator turned MI5 agent Denis Donaldson.

McGinley is reported to have identified the killers to gardai and to have passed on information which led to the recovery of a sledgehammer that the Real IRA gang had used to break down the door of Mr Donaldson's cottage in Co Donegal in April 2006 before killing him.

Mr McGinley is understood to have agreed to cooperate after having been abducted and shot by the Real IRA in November 2007.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, CIRA, Co. Donegal, Denis Donaldson, Liam McGinley, protective custody, Real IRA, sledgehammer

Continuity IRA left reeling over high-level informer

Dissident threat - Continuity IRA left reeling over high-level informer

16 October 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

The Continuity IRA has been left reeling after a leading member was taken into Garda protective custody after it emerged that he was a high-level informer.

Garda Special Branch officers are understood to have brought the Co Donegal man into a protection scheme after the CIRA suspected him of tipping off the security forces about plans to kill a Catholic police recruit in Co Fermanagh last November.

Dissident chiefs are believed to have launched a hunt for an informer within their ranks after two of its most senior members were arrested and later charged in the well-planned security force ambush. Security sources confirmed that the Ballyshannon man and his family are in protective custody. There is growing speculation that the move may be linked to the discovery of a number of arms dumps in the Republic in recent weeks.

It is understood that the 38-year-old first agreed to begin working for Garda Special Branch while he was awaiting trial on serious fraud charges last year.  When he appeared in court he admitted charges of defrauding a finance company over hire purchase agreements.  However, the case was unexpectedly adjourned to allow him to repay the money.

Dissident sources last night said that the man came under suspicion shortly after a security force ambush in Garrison last year.

Irish army reserve soldier Gerard James McManus, from Fern Hill in Letterkenny, was arrested hiding in a shed in the village after a gun battle with undercover police who had been hiding in the home of the Catholic police trainee.  During questioning Mr McManus said he had only opened fire after being shot at by police.  He said that he had aimed his gun away from police and had not intended to kill.

Kevin Barry Nolan (32) from Main Street, Blacklion in Co Cavan, was arrested after undercover police rammed a getaway car he was driving.  The 32-year-old had previously stood as an independent republican candidate in council elections in Co Fermanagh in 2005.

In March it emerged that Tyrone man Martin Kelly had been taken into protective custody in the Republic and had agreed to co-operate with detectives investigating the dissident murder of Strabane man Andrew Burns in 2008.

In November 2007 Letterkenny man Liam McGinley was taken into protective custody after passing on information to gardai about the Real IRA murder of Sinn Fein administrator turned MI5 agent Denis Donaldson.

McGinley is reported to have identified the killers to gardai and to have passed on information which led to the recovery of a sledgehammer that the Real IRA gang had used to break down the door of Mr Donaldson's cottage in Co Donegal in April 2006 before killing him.

Mr McGinley is understood to have agreed to cooperate after having been abducted and shot by the Real IRA in November 2007.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Denis Donaldson, Donegal, Informers, Liam McGinley, MI5

Inquest on MI5 agent adjourned

Inquest on MI5 agent adjourned

27 August 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

The family of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson last night criticised the decision to adjourn an inquest into his death for a fifth time.

Relatives of the former Sinn Fein administrator had travelled to Letterkenny in Co Donegal yesterday hoping that a date for an inquest into his death would be announced.

The 56 year-old, pictured, was shot dead by the Real IRA in April 2006, just weeks after he admitted that he had been an MI5 agent for more than 20 years.

Since then the Garda had requested that the opening of the inquest into his death be adjourned four previous times due to its ongoing investigations.

That evidence relates to information provided by Donegal man Liam McGinley, who is understood to have identified Mr Donaldson's killers and the location of a sledge hammer used in the attack.

The 29 year-old is now thought to be in protective custody in the Republic.

Garda barrister Stephen Byrne insisted that progress was being made, in what he said was a "very complex investigation".

He said that the detective leading the inquiry, Superintendent Michael Finan, was "obviously restrained in what he could put publicly" before an inquest at this stage.

However, the Donaldson family have become increasingly frustrated at the repeated delays.

The family's solicitor Ciaran Shiels argued that any further adjournment would be unlawful under European law and accused the Garda of repeatedly "frustrating" attempts to open an inquest.

He said that despite Garda claims of progress, there was no indication whether anyone will charged with Mr Donaldson's murder in the near future.

Mr Shiels claimed there was a pattern that each time the inquest was due to open there was "a flurry of activity" in which the family were informed there was a new development.

Following legal arguments, Coroner Dr Denis McCauley said that he would schedule a pre-inquest hearing on 27 January.

He said the Garda and the Donaldson family would be expected to deliver detailed arguments about future proceedings.

He said it would also be decided if the inquest would simply identify how Mr Donaldson was killed or, as the family wish, fully investigate the wider surroundings of his death.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Denis Donaldson, Donegal, Liam McGinley, MI5, Real IRA

Inquest on MI5 agent adjourned

Inquest on MI5 agent adjourned

27 August 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

The family of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson last night criticised the decision to adjourn an inquest into his death for a fifth time.

Relatives of the former Sinn Fein administrator had travelled to Letterkenny in Co Donegal yesterday hoping that a date for an inquest into his death would be announced.

The 56 year-old, pictured, was shot dead by the Real IRA in April 2006, just weeks after he admitted that he had been an MI5 agent for more than 20 years.

Since then the Garda had requested that the opening of the inquest into his death be adjourned four previous times due to its ongoing investigations.

That evidence relates to information provided by Donegal man Liam McGinley, who is understood to have identified Mr Donaldson's killers and the location of a sledge hammer used in the attack.

The 29 year-old is now thought to be in protective custody in the Republic.

Garda barrister Stephen Byrne insisted that progress was being made, in what he said was a "very complex investigation".

He said that the detective leading the inquiry, Superintendent Michael Finan, was "obviously restrained in what he could put publicly" before an inquest at this stage.

However, the Donaldson family have become increasingly frustrated at the repeated delays.

The family's solicitor Ciaran Shiels argued that any further adjournment would be unlawful under European law and accused the Garda of repeatedly "frustrating" attempts to open an inquest.

He said that despite Garda claims of progress, there was no indication whether anyone will charged with Mr Donaldson's murder in the near future.

Mr Shiels claimed there was a pattern that each time the inquest was due to open there was "a flurry of activity" in which the family were informed there was a new development.

Following legal arguments, Coroner Dr Denis McCauley said that he would schedule a pre-inquest hearing on 27 January.

He said the Garda and the Donaldson family would be expected to deliver detailed arguments about future proceedings.

He said it would also be decided if the inquest would simply identify how Mr Donaldson was killed or, as the family wish, fully investigate the wider surroundings of his death.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Denis Donaldson, Informers, Liam McGinley, MI5, Real IRA

Ruling on MI5 agent's inquest expected 4 years after killing

Ruling on MI5 agent's inquest expected 4 years after killing

26 August 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

A Donegal coroner is expected to rule today on whether an inquest into the murder of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson can open - more than four years after he was shot dead.

The 56-year-old was killed by the Real IRA in April 2006 at an isolated cottage at Doochary, Co Donegal, four months after publicly admitting that he had been a British spy inside Sinn Fein for more than 20 years.

Donaldson, who had previously been implicated in an IRA spy ring at Stormont, died after being hit by two shotgun blasts as he tried to flee from the early morning attack.

However, the inquest into his death has been postponed four times on the request of Garda detectives because of ongoing investigations into the killing.

In February gardai asked for a nine-month adjournment claiming investigations were very "technical in detail" with other "avenues" needing to be pursued.

That evidence is believed to have been linked to information from Donegal man Liam McGinley who is understood to have supplied gardai with details about the Donaldson murder, including the identity of the killers, and the location of a sledgehammer used in the attack.

McGinley, from the Falcarragh area of Donegal, was reported to have been taken into protective custody and begun co-operating with gardai after he was shot and left for dead by the Real IRA in November 2007.

When he appeared at Letterkenny District Court three months later he was surrounded by armed gardai.

He was sentenced to six months in prison for theft and public order offences.

However, his solicitor claimed that sending McGinley to prison would be "tantamount to a death sentence" adding his life would be at risk if he was placed with the general prison population. He subsequently received a further three-year sentence in February this year after being convicted of robbery.

The Republic's prison service was yesterday unable to say where McGinley is being held.

Garda sources claim that a file is with the Republic's prosecution service to decide if McGinley would be a credible witness.

It is understood gardai will ask for another delay in the inquest, possibly up to a year, when the preliminary hearing reopens today.

In February the Donaldson family's solicitor Ciaran Shiels warned that they would not be prepared to accept any further delay in opening the inquest. At that hearing Donegal coroner Dr Denis McCauley agreed to adjourn the inquest for a further six months, until August 26.

However, Dr McCauley told gardai that they would "have to have a very good reason" why he should not name a date for the opening of the inquest.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Denis Donaldson, Donegal, Liam McGinley, MI5, Real IRA

Ruling on MI5 agent's inquest expected 4 years after killing

Ruling on MI5 agent's inquest expected 4 years after killing

26 August 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

A Donegal coroner is expected to rule today on whether an inquest into the murder of MI5 agent Denis Donaldson can open - more than four years after he was shot dead.

The 56-year-old was killed by the Real IRA in April 2006 at an isolated cottage at Doochary, Co Donegal, four months after publicly admitting that he had been a British spy inside Sinn Fein for more than 20 years.

Donaldson, who had previously been implicated in an IRA spy ring at Stormont, died after being hit by two shotgun blasts as he tried to flee from the early morning attack.

However, the inquest into his death has been postponed four times on the request of Garda detectives because of ongoing investigations into the killing.

In February gardai asked for a nine-month adjournment claiming investigations were very "technical in detail" with other "avenues" needing to be pursued.

That evidence is believed to have been linked to information from Donegal man Liam McGinley who is understood to have supplied gardai with details about the Donaldson murder, including the identity of the killers, and the location of a sledgehammer used in the attack.

McGinley, from the Falcarragh area of Donegal, was reported to have been taken into protective custody and begun co-operating with gardai after he was shot and left for dead by the Real IRA in November 2007.

When he appeared at Letterkenny District Court three months later he was surrounded by armed gardai.

He was sentenced to six months in prison for theft and public order offences.

However, his solicitor claimed that sending McGinley to prison would be "tantamount to a death sentence" adding his life would be at risk if he was placed with the general prison population. He subsequently received a further three-year sentence in February this year after being convicted of robbery.

The Republic's prison service was yesterday unable to say where McGinley is being held.

Garda sources claim that a file is with the Republic's prosecution service to decide if McGinley would be a credible witness.
It is understood gardai will ask for another delay in the inquest, possibly up to a year, when the preliminary hearing reopens today.

In February the Donaldson family's solicitor Ciaran Shiels warned that they would not be prepared to accept any further delay in opening the inquest. At that hearing Donegal coroner Dr Denis McCauley agreed to adjourn the inquest for a further six months, until August 26.

However, Dr McCauley told gardai that they would "have to have a very good reason" why he should not name a date for the opening of the inquest.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Denis Donaldson, Donegal, Informers, Liam McGinley, MI5, Real IRA

'Dissidents in turmoil' claim

25 March 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

Dissident republicans in Co Tyrone are said to be in 'turmoil' amid reports that a leading member has gone into Garda protective custody. Last week Strabane man Martin Kelly (35) appeared in court in the Republic charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in February 2008. The charges are linked to the murder of 27-year-old Strabane man Andrew Burns, who was shot dead by Oglaigh Na hEireann in Co Donegal two years ago.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Denis Donaldson, Informers, Ireland, Letterkenny, Liam McGinley, MI5, protective custody, PSNI, Real IRA, sledgehammer

Six-month delay for spy inquest

5 February 2010
The Irish News
Seamus McKinney

The inquest into the death of self-confessed British spy Denis Donaldson has been adjourned for a further six months. Mr Donaldson (56), was shot dead at a cottage near Glenties in west Donegal on April 4 2007. Previously a prominent Sinn Fein figure, the Belfast man had been living in the remote cottage since admitting he had been working as a British agent for many years. His murder was claimed by the Real IRA in the paramilitary organisation's annual Easter message last year.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Denis Donaldson, Informers, Letterkenny, Liam McGinley, MI5, Northern Ireland, protective custody, Real IRA, Sinn Féin, sledgehammer

Questions mount as Donaldson inquest adjourned

Questions mount as Donaldson inquest adjourned
4 February 2010
Irish Republican News

The inquest into the death of murdered MI5 agent Denis Donaldson in Donegal almost four years ago was again adjourned in Letterkenny this week.

The former senior Sinn Fein member and one-time friend of Bobby Sands admitted that he had been a paid British informer for 20 years. He subsequently went into hiding in a cottage in Donegal but was shot dead in April 2006 in controversial circumstances.

A preliminary inquest was opened in November 2007. Gardai today requested an adjournment of nine months, but Coroner Dr Denis McAuley granted an adjournment of six months until 26 August.

Donaldson died after being hit by two shotgun blasts as he tried to flee from the early-morning attack.

In November 2007 a preliminary hearing into his death was adjourned after gardai told the coroner that they were considering criminal proceedings.

At that time lawyers for the Donaldsons said the family’s confidence in the Garda investigation had been “severely undermined” by the lack of progress in the case.

The family later lodged official complaints against gardai over concerns that Donaldson had not been properly warned that his life was under threat and over the murder investigation team’s refusal to state whether his cottage had been under electronic surveillance at the time of the shooting.

The inquest was postponed for a second time in May 2008.

It was adjourned for a third time in February 2009 after it was claimed that gardai were following a “new line of inquiry”.

It later emerged that a Letterkenny man, Liam McGinley, had been taken into protective custody in connection with the case.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Co. Donegal, Denis Donaldson, Liam Campbell, Liam McGinley

New delay to spy's inquest expected

4 February 2010
The Irish News
Barry McCaffrey

An inquest into the death of murdered MI5 agent Denis Donaldson is expected to be adjourned today as gardai are due to request a fourth postponement. The 56-year-old was shot dead by the Real IRA in April 2006 at an isolated cottage at Doochary, Co Donegal, four months after publicly admitting that he had been a British spy inside Sinn Fein for more than 20 years. Donaldson, who had previously been implicated in an IRA spy ring at Stormont, died after being hit by two shotgun blasts as he tried to flee from the early-morning attack.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Denis Donaldson, Ireland, Letterkenny, Liam McGinley, MI5, protective custody, Real IRA, Sinn Féin, sledgehammer

Three-year sentence for robbing man of cash and jewellery

3 February 2010
Donegal News

A Kilmacrennan who had been drinking with a man in a Letterkenny hotel and was subsequently involved in robbing him of more than £4,500 worth of jewellery and £2,000 cash has been sentenced to three years in prison. This week's sitting of Letterkenny District Court heard evidence against Liam McGinley of 1A Main Street, Kilmacrennan. Garda Conor Drury said that on November 5, 2007 he received a call to go to the Ramada Hotel, Letterkenny, where a man alleged he had been robbed by two men.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Liam McGinley

Liam McGinley and a stolen painting: Vermeer's The Concert (Blog entry)

Vermeer's The Concert
1 July 2009
Stolen Art Watch
Memo to Dominic McGlinchey

Mr Dominic McGlinchey Junior, please do not, I repeat do not allow yourself to be in the same Town, let alone the same post-code as the Vermeer/Gardner art when any or all are recovered.

Trust me when I tell you the Vermeer and Gardner art are Radio-active and they must, I repeat must be left in a Catholic Church confession box so either the Priest or authorities can recover the Vermeer and Gardner art from the confession box, therefore no-one, I repeat no-one will arrested during the recovery process.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Liam McGinley, Omagh bomb, Sinn Féin

Man may testify against Real IRA

23 June 2009
Derry Journal

A Donegal man who was shot by dissident republicans has offered to testify in court against members of the Real IRA from Derry. Security sources in the Republic have said that Liam McGinley, a Letterkenny man, has named the men who shot former Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson and is prepared to testify against republicans.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Denis Donaldson, Ireland, Letterkenny, Liam McGinley, MI5, Real IRA

Letterkenny man reveals Donaldson killers to gardaí

23 June 2009
Derry Journal

A Letterkenny man who was abducted and found wounded near Churchill two years ago has offered to give evidence in court against members of the Real IRA, it has been claimed.

Liam McGinley, who was abducted and left on a mountain road in the Stramore in the Derryveigh Mountains in November 2007, is under garda protection. McGinley has revealed the identity of Real IRA figure in the northwest including the identities of the gunmen who murdered former leading Sinn Féin official and self-confessed British Spy Denis Donaldson who was Killed at his isolated farmhouse near Doochary in April 2006. 

The Sunday Times reported that the father of six has made statements to gardaí outlining his knowledge of the Real IRA and naming the gunmen who shot him. A file containing McGinley's statements is now before the Director of Public Prosecutions.

McGinley made his way to a farmhouse at Glendoan on November 2007 after he was left at Stramore near Churchill suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. A local family helped him get to Letterkenny General Hospital before he was transferred to the Mater Hospital in Dublin. At the time the shooting was linked to the drugs trade.

McGinley appeared at Letterkenny District Court three months later surrounded by armed gardaí and was sentenced to six months in prison for theft and public order offences. At the time his solicitor claimed sending McGinley to prison would be "tantamount to a death sentence" adding his life would be a risk if he was put in with the general prison population.

After being taken to the Mater Hospital, McGinley agreed to co-operate with gardaí in return for protection but it is not known if he has been formally admitted to the Garda wittiness protection programme.

Security sources claim McGinley's co-operation is a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism in the northwest. Although he was never a member of the Real IRA he is understood to have extensive contacts in the organisation and while his evidence is unlikely to lead to Donaldson's killers being charged soon, charges could be brought against the men involved in McGinley's shooting.

Originally from Scotland 29-year McGinley grew up in the Falcarragh area.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Copeland, Denis Donaldson, Liam McGinley, Real IRA

RIRA victim reveals who murdered spy

21 June 2009
The Sunday Times
John Mooney
Republican set to give evidence after identifying killers of Denis Donaldson

A DONEGAL man who was abducted and shot by dissident republicans has offered to testify in court against members of the Real IRA (RIRA) in the northwest.

In what security sources see as an intelligence coup against dissident republicans, Liam McGinley, a father of six from Letterkenny, has also revealed the identities of the alleged RIRA gunmen who murdered Denis Donaldson, the former Sinn Fein strategist who was shot dead at a remote cottage in Donegal in April 2006 after admitting he was a British spy.

McGinley is under garda protection, although it is not clear whether he has been formally admitted to the force's witnessprotection programme. A file that includes statements he made to gardai outlining his knowledge of the RIRA, and naming the paramilitaries who shot him, is being studied by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

McGinley agreed to co-operate with gardai after he was abducted, shot in the abdomen and dumped on a dirt track in the Derryveagh mountains in Donegal in November 2007.

He survived the attack and made his way to a nearby house whose occupants rushed him to Letterkenny general hospital. He was transferred to the Mater in Dublin where he agreed to co-operate with gardai in return for protection.

Security sources claim his decision to turn state's evi-dencmarks a breakthrough in the fight against republican terrorism in the north west, a stronghold of the RIRA.

Although McGinley was never a member of the organisation, he had extensive contacts with the group's membership in Donegal and Londonderry. Among them were senior terrorists suspected by gardai of organising attacks on the British security forces.

Garda sources emphasised last week that McGinley's evidence was unlikely to lead to Donaldson's killers being charged soon, but the force is confident of pressing some charges against three suspects involved in his shooting.

"He wasn't present when Donaldson was murdered but has identified the killers and disclosed certain information on what happened to the weapon used in the killing," said a source close to the inquiry.

Donaldson was murdered at a remote holiday home in Glenties. He was shot four times by an assailant armed with a shotgun. The first two shots were fired through the front door of his cottage as he attempted to bolt it or barricade himself inside. Once inside, his killers fired two more cartridges, killing him.

Members of the Provisional IRA were initially blamed for the murder but McGinley claims it was carried out by members of the RIRA from Londonderry. The organisation recently admitted it.

Originally from Scotland, McGinley grew up in Falcarragh but was not known to gardai as a serious criminal or a republican sympathiser. He was known in Letterkenny as a troublemaker who often appeared in court charged with public-order offences. In one incident, he was accused of threatening an undercover member of the garda drugs squad after being stopped and searched in Letterkenny.

RIRA, which murdered 29 people and unborn twins when it bombed Omagh in August 1998, has been repeatedly infiltrated by spies and informants since its formation in 1997. Paddy Dixon, a Dublin car thief who supplied stolen cars to RIRA in the months before Omagh, helped the gardai to intercept a series of bombs. He joined the state's witness-protection scheme after his identity was accidentally revealed.

MI5 and the FBI also ran Dave Rupert, an agent recruited in America to infiltrate the RIRA. An American trucker, he appeared as a witness against Michael McKevitt, the founder of the terrorist group, helping to convict him on charges of directing terrorism.

The RIRA killed Donaldson

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Denis Donaldson, Liam McGinley, Omagh bomb, Real IRA, Sinn Féin

Victim of RIRA shooting reveals who killed Sinn Fein British spy

21 June 2009
The Sunday Times
John Mooney

A DONEGAL man who was abducted and shot by dissident republicans has offered to testify in court against members of the Real IRA (RIRA) in the northwest. In what security sources regard as an intelligence coup against dissident republicans, Liam McGinley, a father of six from Letterkenny, has also revealed the identities of the alleged RIRA gunmen who murdered Denis Donaldson, the former Sinn Fein strategist who was shot dead at a remote cottage in Donegal in April 2006 after admitting that he was a British spy.

McGinley is under garda protection, although it is not clear whether he has been formally admitted to the force's witness protection programme. A file including statements he made to gardai outlining his knowledge of the RIRA, and naming the paramilitaries who shot him, is being studied by the director of public prosecutions.

McGinley agreed to co-operate after he was abducted, shot in the abdomen and dumped on a dirt track in the Derryveagh mountains in Donegal in November 2007.

He survived the attack and made his way to a nearby house whose occupants rushed him to Letterkenny general hospital. He was transferred to the Mater in Dublin where he agreed to co-operate with gardai in return for protection.

Security sources claim his decision to turn state's evidence marks a breakthrough in the fight against republican terrorism in the northwest, a stronghold of the RIRA.

Although McGinley was never a member of the organisation, he had extensive contacts with the group's membership in Donegal and Londonderry. Among them were senior terrorists suspected by gardai of organising attacks on the British security forces.

Garda sources emphasised last week that McGinley's evidence was unlikely to lead to Donaldson's killers being charged soon, but the force is confident of pressing some charges against three suspects involved in his shooting.

"He wasn't present when Donaldson was murdered but has identified the killers and disclosed certain information on what happened to the weapon used in the killing," said a source close to the inquiry.

Donaldson was murdered at a remote holiday home in Glenties. He was shot four times by an assailant armed with a shotgun. The first two shots were fired through the front door of his cottage as he attempted to bolt it or barricade himself inside. Once inside, his killers fired two more cartridges, killing him.

Members of the Provisional IRA were initially blamed for the murder but McGinley claims it was carried out by members of the RIRA from Londonderry. The organisation recently admitted it.

Originally from Scotland, McGinley grew up in Falcarragh but was not known to gardai as a serious criminal or a republican sympathiser. He was known in Letterkenny as a troublemaker who often appeared in court charged with public-order offences. In one incident, he was accused of threatening an undercover member of the garda drugs squad after being stopped and searched in Letterkenny.

RIRA, which murdered 29 people and unborn twins when it bombed Omagh in August 1998, has been repeatedly infiltrated by spies and informants since its formation in 1997. Paddy Dixon, a Dublin car thief who supplied stolen cars to RIRA in the months before Omagh, helped the gardai to intercept a series of bombs. He joined the state's witness-protection scheme after his identity was accidentally revealed.

MI5 and the FBI also ran Dave Rupert, an agent recruited in America to infiltrate the RIRA. He appeared as a witness against Michael McKevitt, the founder of the terrorist group, helping to convict him on charges of directing terrorism. n General John de Chastelain, the head of the decommissioning body, will announce this week that Northern Ireland's main loyalist paramilitaries have begun to decommission their weapons.

The groups involved are aiming to complete the process later this year. When they do, de Chastelain will give the British and Irish governments a full inventory of all decommissioned weapons, both loyalist and republican.

Loyalists' plans to announce the move at a joint press conference were upset last week when reports leaked out that decommissioning had begun. The Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando decommissioned the bulk of their joint arsenal two weeks ago.

The RIRA killed Donaldson

Continue Reading... Labels: 2009, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Denis Donaldson, Ireland, Letterkenny, Liam McGinley, MI5, Omagh bomb, Real IRA, Sinn Féin

Man arrested in Donegal after raids

28 March 2008
Irish Times

A MAN is being questioned by gardaí in Co Donegal following early morning raids on four houses yesterday. He is being detained at Milford Garda station.

The raids in the general Annagry and Gweedore areas were carried out by both uniformed and plain clothes gardaí from stations at Letterkenny, Glenties, Annagry and Dungloe.

Although the Garda Press Office was giving little information, it is understood that the operation is part of an ongoing investigation into a recent attempted murder in the county.

In November 2007, father of two Liam McGinley (28) from Falcarragh was shot and left for dead outside Letterkenny near Glenveagh National Park.

It is believed that he was abducted in Letterkenny.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Liam McGinley, Real IRA

Shooting: Has 'gangland' arrived in Donegal?

23 November 2007
Donegal News
Catriona Gallen

THE 28-year-old man found shot in the Churchill area on Tuesday is in a critical but stable condition in the Mater Hospital in Dublin. Liam McGinley, with an address at Riverside apartments, Lower Main street, Letterkenny was taken to Letterkenny General Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The separated father of six had a shot gun wound to his abdomen and had walked to John Harley's home at Ardacrin, Churchill looking for help at 2.10am.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Hugh Orde, Liam McGinley

Man shot

21 November 2007
The Irish News

A man was shot and left for dead on a remote mountain in Co Donegal after being attacked by suspected drug dealers. Liam McGinley (28) was wounded in the side by a shotgun blast and dumped near houses on a track on the edge of the Derryveagh Mountains, near the village of Churchill, at around 2am. He went to a house and was last night in intensive care in Dublin's Mater Hospital.

Dessie McMonagle, a Sinn Fein councillor and member of the Letterkenny Joint Policing Partnership, said the gun attack was very worrying. "It's a very strange shooting to say the least," he said.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Co. Donegal, Copeland, Ireland, Liam McGinley, Real IRA, Sinn Féin

Man remanded over arson death /Probe after man shot in stomach

21 November 2007
Irish Independent

EXCERPT:

...Probe after man shot in stomach

A garda manhunt was launched yesterday after a man was shot in the stomach overnight. The man, named locally as Liam McGinley (28), with an address in Letterkenny, was in danger of bleeding to death but was rushed to hospital after raising the alarm. He was transferred to the Mater Hospital in Dublin yesterday afternoon but his condition is not thought to be life threatening.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2007, Copeland, Liam McGinley, Real IRA