Legacy of Donaldson killing not part of shared island initiative, says Taoiseach

The Taoiseach said that the shared island initiative between Ireland and the UK “does not deal with legacy issues” such as the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson.

Micheál Martin responded to questioning in Dáil Éireann from Labour leader Ivana Bacik, on the killing of Denis Donaldson, which occurred near Glenties. 

Ms Bacik said that “dealing with legacy is an important part of the work being done” regarding the shared island initiative, before asking about Mr Donaldson.

Mr Donaldson’s family had been “seeking answers” and were “seeking an inquiry,” said Ms Bacik, and that his inquest had been “adjourned 27 times over 19 years.” 

Ms Bacik asked the Taoiseach: “What is the position of the Government on this matter, and does it have any plans to meet the family? I think the family’s solicitor has pointed out they do not qualify as victims under the Legacy Act, so they are in a very particular position. What is the Taoiseach’s position on their request to meet him?”

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The Taoiseach responded that the shared island initiative did not deal with legacy issues, however he believed that the Government had made progress on the legacy issue with the British government and that he believed there “should be an investigate arm to whatever vehicle is finally decided on to have a permanent structure to deal with legacy issues.”

Regarding the killing of Denis Donaldson, the Taoiseach said he would speak to the Minister for Justice about the case and that he had heard there was “significant trauma.”

The Denis Donaldson case gained media attention in recent months after former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was awarded €100,000 in damages after winning a libel action against the BBC.

Mr Adams said that a BBC Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Féin official, Mr Donaldson, for which he denies involvement.

A jury at the High Court in Dublin found in Mr Adams' favour, after determining that was the meaning of the words included in the programme and article, and that the BBC’s actions were not in good faith and that it had not acted in a fair and reasonable way.