Extradited man charged with murder of Denis Donaldson

A 49-year-old man extradited from Scotland has been charged at the Special Criminal Court with the murder of Denis Donaldson, a former Provisional IRA member and senior Sinn Féin official who was shot dead in County Donegal in 2006. Antoin Duffy, of Braade, Kincasslagh, appeared before the three-judge, non-jury court following his extradition earlier today. He faces six charges, including Mr Donaldson's murder and the attempted murder of Liam McGinley in November 2007. The charges also include possession of a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath granted an order to have the case tried at the Special Criminal Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions certified that the ordinary courts were inadequate. Mr Donaldson was exposed as an MI5 informant months before his death at an isolated cottage near Glenties. The Real IRA later claimed responsibility for the killing.