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Denis Donaldson: Ombudsman launches new investigation Denis Donaldson: Ombudsman launches new investigation
(35 minutes later)
By Vincent Kearney BBC NI home affairs correspondent
A new investigation has been launched into allegations that police officers may have contributed to the death of republican informer Denis Donaldson.A new investigation has been launched into allegations that police officers may have contributed to the death of republican informer Denis Donaldson.
The Police Ombudsman has overturned a previous decision by his office to close the investigation and declare there was no misconduct by officers.The Police Ombudsman has overturned a previous decision by his office to close the investigation and declare there was no misconduct by officers.
The senior Sinn Fein official was shot dead in Donegal in April 2006.The senior Sinn Fein official was shot dead in Donegal in April 2006.
He had gone into hiding after police told him the media were preparing to expose his secret life as an informer.He had gone into hiding after police told him the media were preparing to expose his secret life as an informer.
The Real IRA said it was responsible but his family alleged that police officers may have exposed him as an agent and contributed to his death.The Real IRA said it was responsible but his family alleged that police officers may have exposed him as an agent and contributed to his death.
Three years ago the Police Ombudsman at the time, Al Hutchinson, said there had been no police misconduct and declared the case closed.Three years ago the Police Ombudsman at the time, Al Hutchinson, said there had been no police misconduct and declared the case closed.
But a BBC Spotlight investigation in October 2011 revealed investigators had not interviewed a special branch officer who Mr Donaldson's family believe may hold vital information about what happened.But a BBC Spotlight investigation in October 2011 revealed investigators had not interviewed a special branch officer who Mr Donaldson's family believe may hold vital information about what happened.
For 20 years, senior Sinn Fein member Denis Donaldson led a secret life as an informer for MI5, the RUC and PSNI.
Then in April 2006, he was told by police that the media were about to expose his role as agent and he fled to a remote cottage the family owned in Donegal.
After his murder, Denis Donaldson's family alleged that police officers who knew about his secret role may have exposed him as an agent and contributed to his death.
They complained to the previous Police Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson, and asked for an investigation into the conduct of police officers who knew about his life as an informer.
He wrote to the family saying "no police misconduct has been identified".
They were also unaware he had been writing a journal which his family believe could contain clues about who killed him and why.They were also unaware he had been writing a journal which his family believe could contain clues about who killed him and why.
The current ombudsman, Michael Maguire, confirmed on Wednesday that he has launched a new investigation.The current ombudsman, Michael Maguire, confirmed on Wednesday that he has launched a new investigation.
It is understood investigators will seek access to the journal, which was removed by Garda officers investigating the killing, and to interview the special branch officer.It is understood investigators will seek access to the journal, which was removed by Garda officers investigating the killing, and to interview the special branch officer.
Mr Donaldson was shot at a remote cottage in Glenties in 2006.Mr Donaldson was shot at a remote cottage in Glenties in 2006.
He moved out of his Belfast home a few months before his death, and had been living in the run-down cottage which had neither electricity nor running water.He moved out of his Belfast home a few months before his death, and had been living in the run-down cottage which had neither electricity nor running water.
Four months earlier, he had been expelled from Sinn Fein after admitting being a paid British spy for 20 years.Four months earlier, he had been expelled from Sinn Fein after admitting being a paid British spy for 20 years.