While serving his sentence Donnelly briefly went on hunger strike following his removal from the republican wing of HM Prison Maghaberry.
[7][8] In November 2014, Donnelly, along with two co-defendants, was sentenced to six-months in prison for "causing criminal damage" by writing an anti-internment slogan on the historic walls of Derry.
[10] He was supported by Irish politicians Clare Daly, Éamon Ó Cuív, Thomas Pringle, and Maureen O'Sullivan.
[12] On 7 January 2018, Donnelly was arrested and questioned in connection with the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson, an ex-Sinn Fein member turned British agent.
[13] In April 2024, Donnelly was arrested with five others for participating in a Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions demonstration at a supermarket on the Strand Road in Derry.