Censor’s pen run overKieran Doherty files

Kieran Doherty, who was shot dead by the Real IRA in 2010.

Real IRA man Kieran Doherty, 31, was shot dead in February 2010 and his body dumped near Londonderry.

The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing of one of its own members, but nobody has ever been charged with the murder.

In the weeks before his death, Mr Doherty claimed MI5 attempted to recruit him as an agent and his family have raised concerns the UK Security Services could have played a role in his death.

Police are in the process of security vetting their murder investigation files before making them available to lawyers representing the family at a planned future inquest.

Members of the Doherty family attended a preliminary hearing at Belfast Coroner’s Court on Thursday, December 10.

Shortly after his death Foyle MP Mark Durkan raised the Doherty family’s concerens at Westminster.

He told MPs: “This is not some fanciful notion that I have conjured up about the possibility of concerns in the future. These are not theoretical concerns, but real concerns. That man’s partner told me in her grief at the wake that she had written a letter which she had not yet posted before he died.

“The letter, addressed to the Minister of State, expressed her concern about what was happening to her partner - the harassment to which he was being subjected, and the offers that were made to him.”