A former senior member of the Irish Republican Army's political wing who confessed to being a spy for the British government has been found dead.
Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell said Tuesday the body of Denis Donaldson was found in County Donegal in northwest Ireland. McDowell said he was shot in the head and apparently tortured.
The Irish Republican Army immediately issued a statement saying it had no involvement in Donaldson's death.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the killing was likely carried out by those who oppose the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Donaldson was a respected member of Sinn Fein and part of the now suspended power-sharing government with the Protestants.
He resigned from the party and went into hiding in December after admitting he was an informer for British security forces.
The IRA declared last year that it was renouncing political violence and handed over its weapons to international monitors.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern are expected later this week to unveil a new plan to revive the power-sharing government.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.