Courts

Man charged over Denis Donaldson inquiry granted bail

Sinn Féin member was shot dead in 2006 following his exposure as an MI5 agent

Denis Donaldson (55), a member of Sinn Féin, was shot dead in April 2006 following his exposure in December 2005 as an MI5 agent. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA Wire

Fri Jul 29 2016 - 13:30

A 74 year old man accused of withholding information connected to the killing of Denis Donaldson has been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court.

Mr Donaldson (55), a member of Sinn Féin, was shot dead in April 2006 following his exposure in December 2005 as an MI5 agent.

On Tuesday, gardaí investigating the killing arrested Patrick Gillespie (74) in County Donegal.

Mr Gillespie, with an address at Craigvar St, Glasgow, Scotland was later charged at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin with having in his possession information regarding the involvement of another person in the unlawful killing of Denis Donaldson at Cloghercor, County Donegal.

READ MORE

The charge further alleges that Mr Gillespie knew or believed the information might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of the other person and failed without reasonable excuse to discharge that information as soon as it was practicable to a member of an Garda Siochana.

The offence is alleged to have occurred some time between April 3rd 2006 and July 26th this year.

At Friday’s bail hearing, Michael O’Higgins SC, representing the accused man, told the court that both parties had reached agreement on bail terms.

Tony McGillicuddy BL, counsel for the State, read the conditions to the court.

The barrister said that Mr Gillespie must surrender his passport and travel documents, reside at an address in Co Donegal, sign on once weekly at Letterkenny garda station, obey a daily curfew between 11pm and 7am, not associate with any person charged or convicted with a scheduled offence or before the Special Criminal Court, not contact any proposed prosecution witnesses and provide a phone number to gardaí.

Mr McGillicuddy also told the court that Mr Gillespie will be released on his own bond of €6,600 and two independent sureties of €10,000 and €5,000.

Judge Alison Lindsay, presiding with Mr Justice Paul Butler and Judge Cormac Dunne, remanded Mr Gillespie in custody, with consent to bail, until October 26th, when his case is listed for mention again.

LATEST STORIES