Donaldson inquest delayed again as family take case to Europe

The family of murdered republican double agent Denis Donaldson want the European Court to investigate delays in his inquest.
Their solicitor Ciaran Shiels said today(Thurs) that they believe the delay six years after his death is three times what is acceptable under the European Human Rights Convention.
He told coroner Dr Denis McCauley during the ninth adjournment of inquest proceedings in Letterkenny that he has been instructed to move proceedings against the State in Strasbourg to seek the remedies of the European Court.
The hearing was told that gardai met Donaldson family representatives on Tuesday this week to explain why a further adjournment was being sought. Garda Supt Michael Finan said here has been an unavoidable delay in completing the criminal investigation file, which will be submitted to the DPP “within weeks” but it would be a substantial file and further time was needed for consideration of it by the State authorities.
The 56 year old was murdered in his remote home at Classey, Cloghercor, near Glenties, on April 4th 2006.
Mr Shiels, for the family, said: “The longer this goes on the more the issues of suspicion will fester.”
The coroner said he understood the frustration of the family but he further adjourned the proceedings until November 8th.