A preliminary inquest into the death of former senior Sinn Féin member Denis Donaldson heard today that gardai have opened “another avenue” of investigation in the case.
Mr Donaldson (56) was shot four times at his remote cottage outside Glenties, Co Donegal on April 3rd, 2006.
No group ever claimed responsibility for his murder.
The inquest had already been adjourned on two occasions following a request by Superintendent Eugene McGovern, who is leading the murder investigation.
At the previous two hearings, Supt McGovern told the court that gardaí were seeking an adjournment while criminal proceedings were "being considered".
However, Supt McGovern opened today's hearing in Letterkenny by asking the Coroner, Dr Denis McCauley to adjourn the inquest for a year.
"We have opened another avenue of investigation and that has not been completed yet," Supt McGovern said. "The Donaldson family have been made aware of that by the Assistant Garda ommissioner."
Mr Donaldson's family have stated in the past they wanted the inquest to proceed as soon as possible adding that the investigation will "go nowhere".
They also made formal complaints to both the Garda Ombudsman and the Garda Complaints Board as their confidence in the investigation has been "seriously undermined".
The court heard today the family would consent to have the inquest adjourned to allow the gardaí to continue this new line of investigation.
Dr McCauley said he was happy to adjourn the inquest for one year as both sides were in agreement.
Mr Donaldson (56) who headed Sinn Féin's support team at Stormont, was shot dead several months after revealing he had been spying for Britain for 20 years.