Latest news with #GSOC
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Gardai face legal action over alleged failure during Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson's Donegal murder probe
GARDAI are facing legal action over an alleged failure to comply with a probe into the murder of Denis Donaldson, it has emerged. Policing oversight body Fiosru, which recently replaced the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission, has said it takes the view that 2 Denis Donaldson was shot at his family's remote cottage in the Glenties, Donegal Credit: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. It has decided to start proceedings in A letter seen by The Donaldson family has been informed of Fiosru's intention to launch the action. Enda McGarrity, the Donaldson family's solicitor, said the GSOC/Fiosru probe had been ongoing for three years. Read more in News He told 'That's a matter of significant concern to the family because the body which is charged with investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson are now not only being investigated, but failing to comply with investigation and that gives rise to family's wider concern that the State are currently not delivering an effective investigation.' Mr Donaldson, a senior His exposure came after he was accused of being part of a republican spy ring at Stormont, but the Most read in Irish News Mr Donaldson was shot at his family's remote cottage in the Glenties just four months later. His daughter Jane complained to GSOC three years ago over the Garda response to information regarding threats to her father's life. She claimed An Garda Siochana failed to take adequate measures to protect his life despite being told by the The Donaldson family is also seeking to have Denis' journal returned to them from Garda hands. Last Friday, the Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme and an accompanying online story which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of Mr Donaldson, in which he denies any involvement. Last month, a jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour and awarded him €100,000 after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. The BBC, which was found by the jury not to have acted in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way, was also ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader's legal costs. 2 Denis Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years Credit: PA:Press Association
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
An Garda Síochána facing legal action over Denis Donaldson investigation
A policing oversight body is taking legal action against An Garda Síochána over its failure to comply with an investigation into the murder of British agent Denis Donaldson in Co Donegal almost 20 years ago. Fiosrú, which replaced the Garda Síochána Ombudsman's Commission (GSOC), has informed the Donaldson family of the move. In a letter it said it took the view that gardaí had not complied with a request for information required for its investigation. Accordingly, it said the ombudsman had decided to commence proceedings in Dublin Circuit Civil Court seeking an order for disclosure, adding that the case was in its early stages. Both Fiosrú and An Garda Síochána declined to comment. An Garda Síochána said it did not comment on Fiosrú matters. The Donaldson's family solicitor, Enda McGarrity, said the Fiosrú investigation had been ongoing for three years. "We now understand that Fiosrú are commencing legal proceedings against An Garda Síochána arising out of a failure to comply with aspects of the investigation. "That's a matter of significant concern to the family because the body which is charged with investigating the murder of Denis Donaldson are now not only being investigated, but failing to comply with investigation and that gives rise to family's wider concern that the State are currently not delivering an effective investigation." Taoiseach Micheál Martin said on Friday that he would be happy to meet the Donaldson family to discuss their concerns. Denis Donaldson was a senior Sinn Féin official working at Stormont who had been accused of being part of a republican spy-ring there. He was exposed as a long-standing British agent when the criminal case against him and others was discontinued in December 2005. He was shot dead in the family's remote cottage near Glenties in April 2006, weeks after he had been photographed and spoken to there by a newspaper journalist. Three years ago Mr Donaldson's daughter, Jane, complained to GSOC raising concerns about how the gardaí had responded to information about the threat to her father's life. She claimed that despite being told by the PSNI of an increased risk to Mr Donaldson's life after he was approached by the media, it failed to take adequate measures to protect him. Dissident republicans claimed the murder, but the family say it has an "open mind" about who was responsible. Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams successfully sued the BBC after it broadcast a documentary claiming he had sanctioned the shooting. He had vehemently denied the accusation. An inquest into the circumstances of Mr Donaldson's murder has been adjourned on 27 occasions due to the ongoing garda murder investigation. The family is also keen to have their father's journal returned. Gardaí have declined to return it, despite earlier assurances that it would be handed back. The family believes it may cast light on the lead up to Mr Donaldson's murder. They would like the Irish Government to establish a commission of investigation which can take evidence in both open and closed hearings. They believe it is the best way to get to the truth of what happened. An investigation by Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman found the PSNI had failed to carry out a formal updated risk assessment on Mr Donaldson after he was visited by the media. The family is taking a civil action against the police and others on the basis of that report.
Sunday World
08-06-2025
- Sunday World
Intrigue surrounds US suspect in Mike Gaine case who has moved to Tralee
Michael Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours and denies any involvement in murder of farmer Janice Gaine carries a photograph of her husband Mike at his funeral in Kenmare on Saturday. Photo: Mark Condren In the week where two probes were launched into the garda investigation of the Mike Gaine case, Michael Kelley kept a low profile in Tralee. Mr Kelley has made a complaint to Fiosrú, formerly known as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), about his treatment by gardaí. Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed Mr Gaine's killing is the subject of a peer review, saying lessons can be learned from homicides that begin as missing persons cases. Before people knew his name, many in Kerry only knew of Michael Kelley as 'the Yank'. When farmer Michael Gaine first went missing, many locals spoke of 'a Yank living on the farm', curious about what he was doing there and where he had come from. Mr Kelley's arrest last month and the subsequent public admission that he was questioned by gardaí on suspicion of murdering Mr Gaine have enhanced the intrigue surrounding him. Mr Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours. He denies having any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder. Michael Gaine's remains were found at his farm Kenmare pauses to say farewell to Mike Gaine People in Kenmare said Mr Kelley and Mr Gaine met a few years ago. One source said Mr Gaine was out hunting and found Mr Kelley sleeping rough in a remote area outside Kenmare. Mr Gaine offered Mr Kelley some work on his farm and the use of an old house there, they said. The house provided basic living. People in the area said they believe it had no electricity and they were uncertain if it had running water. It had not been lived in for years before Mr Kelley moved in. Mr Gaine lived elsewhere, not too far from the farm. Mr Kelley remained at the old farmhouse until Mr Gaine's death and for a short time afterwards while searches were conducted to try to find the farmer. He relocated from the farm to Tralee shortly before Mr Gaine's remains were found. Intrigue followed Mr Kelley there too. He currently lives in the town centre, and while he spent some time during his early days there busking in the square, people living and working in Tralee say they have not seen him play music for a couple of weeks. Others did not realise he had been busking. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself 'He's out most in the mornings. He often goes down to the supermarket and then goes back to where he's staying. We don't see much more of him than that, really,' one woman working near Mr Kelley's home said last week. She said he does not appear to talk to anyone, and few people make moves to interact with him. Janice Gaine carries a photograph of her husband Mike at his funeral in Kenmare on Saturday. Photo: Mark Condren 'He seems fine and keeps to himself,' a man said. People are curious because of how he has found himself at the centre of a murder case that has gripped the nation. One person working near Mr Kelley's new home said they noticed a delivery van two weeks ago outside the building he lives in. It was delivering beds and other furniture. 'I presume it was for the Yank, he's the only new person in there I think. Maybe that means he'll be here for a while,' they said. 'We don't see much else happening, although people are definitely interested in him. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself.' Another man said: 'The only people I have seen him talking to are a couple of reporters. 'There were a few reporters here for days trying to speak to him, but he hasn't been out much. He was out one day in a pair of wellies and waterproof pants. Last week he was out in a pair of sandals talking to reporters. 'Other than that, you don't really see him.' Michael Gaine's remains were found at his farm Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025
Irish Independent
08-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Intrigue surrounds US suspect in Mike Gaine case who has moved to Tralee
Mr Kelley has made a complaint to Fiosrú, formerly known as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), about his treatment by gardaí. Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed Mr Gaine's killing is the subject of a peer review, saying lessons can be learned from homicides that begin as missing persons cases. Before people knew his name, many in Kerry only knew of Michael Kelley as 'the Yank'. When farmer Michael Gaine first went missing, many locals spoke of 'a Yank living on the farm', curious about what he was doing there and where he had come from. Mr Kelley's arrest last month and the subsequent public admission that he was questioned by gardaí on suspicion of murdering Mr Gaine have enhanced the intrigue surrounding him. Mr Kelley was released without charge after being questioned for 24 hours. He denies having any involvement in Mr Gaine's murder. People in Kenmare said Mr Kelley and Mr Gaine met a few years ago. One source said Mr Gaine was out hunting and found Mr Kelley sleeping rough in a remote area outside Kenmare. Mr Gaine offered Mr Kelley some work on his farm and the use of an old house there, they said. The house provided basic living. People in the area said they believe it had no electricity and they were uncertain if it had running water. It had not been lived in for years before Mr Kelley moved in. Mr Gaine lived elsewhere, not too far from the farm. Mr Kelley remained at the old farmhouse until Mr Gaine's death and for a short time afterwards while searches were conducted to try to find the farmer. He relocated from the farm to Tralee shortly before Mr Gaine's remains were found. Intrigue followed Mr Kelley there too. He currently lives in the town centre, and while he spent some time during his early days there busking in the square, people living and working in Tralee say they have not seen him play music for a couple of weeks. Others did not realise he had been busking. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself 'He's out most in the mornings. He often goes down to the supermarket and then goes back to where he's staying. We don't see much more of him than that, really,' one woman working near Mr Kelley's home said last week. She said he does not appear to talk to anyone, and few people make moves to interact with him. The Sunday Independent's efforts to contact and speak with him last week were unsuccessful. 'He seems fine and keeps to himself,' a man said. People are curious because of how he has found himself at the centre of a murder case that has gripped the nation. One person working near Mr Kelley's new home said they noticed a delivery van two weeks ago outside the building he lives in. It was delivering beds and other furniture. 'I presume it was for the Yank, he's the only new person in there I think. Maybe that means he'll be here for a while,' they said. 'We don't see much else happening, although people are definitely interested in him. He's a big man, long hair. He's distinctive, so it's hard to miss him, but he seems to keep to himself.' Another man said: 'The only people I have seen him talking to are a couple of reporters. 'There were a few reporters here for days trying to speak to him, but he hasn't been out much. He was out one day in a pair of wellies and waterproof pants. Last week he was out in a pair of sandals talking to reporters. 'Other than that, you don't really see him.'
Irish Independent
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
File on GSOC investigation into fatal hit and run with DPP
A decision will then be made about what charges are to be preferred. No timeline has been given yet. The 44 year old was walking home and crossing the road near his home at the Highlands, Drogheda on St Patrick's night, 2024 when he was knocked down. He died shortly afterwards at the scene. His death caused great anger and heartbreak in the locality. The car involved was later identified and an off duty Garda is believed to have been driving the vehicle. One young member was subsequently suspended and returned to his native county. A full scale GSOC investigation was launched and several people including other Gardai were questioned. One member was formally arrested and interviewed. GSOC confirmed that its investigation is complete and the file is with the DPP. It is now waiting on a decision on what charges are to be brought against those involved. Niall MacEneaney played hurling for the Wolfe Tones and Mattock Rangers during his career. During his time as manager he won the Louth senior hurling championship with Termonfeckin in 2022 and 2023. He is survived by his wife Grace and his parents. The family have not made any public comment on the case.
