A man is to be charged in connection with the murder of former Sinn Fein man turned MI5 spy Denis Donaldson.
Mr Donaldson was killed at a cottage in remote Co Donegal in April 2006. The Real IRA claimed responsibility for his killing.
The announcement was made during an inquest into his death at Donegal Coroners Court.
A Garda spokesman said today: "At a sitting of Donegal Coroners Court today, July 3 2019, An Garda Siochana sought a remand into the inquest into the death of Denis Donaldson, in accordance with section 25(2) Coroners Act 1962.
"As criminal proceedings have been initiated in this case An Garda Siochana is not making any further comment."
Solicitor Ciaran Shiels spoke of concern on behalf of Mr Donaldson's family that proceedings could take many years to complete.
He added: "There is a sense of disappointment that Mr Donaldson's widow will see truth in the form of the inquest proceedings meaningfully, or justice in terms of the criminal proceedings to a close within her lifetime - that's very much in doubt."
