Brother of Mary Reid found dead in Donegal

A Donegal businessman, John Reid, was found dead at his home in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, yesterday

A Donegal businessman, John Reid, was found dead at his home in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, yesterday. Gardaí have ruled out foul play.

It is the second tragedy in the Reid family. Mr Reid was a brother of Derry academic and well-known republican figure Mary Reid. She was found dead on a beach at the Isle of Doagh, Co Donegal, on January 29th, 2003. Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy last month ordered a review of the original investigation into her death. That review started this week.

It was ordered after Ms Reid's family expressed doubts about the quality of the 2003 investigation. They believe the investigation was not comprehensive enough.

Ms Reid was one of three people caught up in the "Irish of Vincennes" case in France in August 1982. She was arrested at an apartment in Vincennes with Stephen King and Michael Plunkett on terrorism charges.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times