Fifty Dead Men Walking by Martin McGartland

Fifty Dead Men Walking by Martin McGartland

Author:Martin McGartland [McGartland, Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Political Science, History, Biography & Autobiography, Personal Memoirs, Religious, Religion, Law Enforcement, Military, Europe, Great Britain, World War I, Ireland, Catholic, Christianity
ISBN: 9781844547517
Publisher: John Blake
Published: 2009-05-01T05:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER EIGHT

THOUGH SPUD, MY NEW IRA BOSS, HAD WARNED ME to keep away from the IRA’s intelligence wing, Davy Adams still stayed in contact, asking me to carry out intelligence work on his behalf. My branch handlers were keen for me to continue my burgeoning relationship with Davy, because they were confident that the relationship would lead them to more IRA members, widening their network of known suspects.

I kept quiet about the work I did for Davy, never even mentioning his name to other IRA members, because I had no wish to be the centre of controversy between two such powerful men within the organisation. I realised that I would be the loser, and the Special Branch could possibly lose valuable contacts.

There was so much happening in both Davy’s intelligence area and Spud’s active service unit that Felix wanted me to meet them four or five times a week. I knew that at some future date the Branch would probably arrest both Davy Adams and my pal Fitzy, if they could be sure a serious charge would stick. In the meantime, however, I didn’t want them to arrest either man because of the close relationships I had developed with them.

I would tell Felix, ‘It’s bad enough giving information about these two whenever I have something to tell. But it would be virtually impossible for me to provide the Branch with this intelligence if I believed that as a direct result of my tip-off either of these men would be arrested, charged and probably end up doing 20 years.’

I would appeal to Felix and his mate Mo to understand my viewpoint, and I believe he did take note because no move was made against either men from any piece of intelligence supplied by me. I also realised, of course, that the Branch was receiving high-quality intelligence from my close involvement with both men, which would immediately dry up if they were arrested.

From the beginning of our relationship I had faith in the Branch and I trusted those men I dealt with on a day-to-day basis, particularly Felix. I realised that my handlers had superior officers who would order the arrest of both Davy and Harry if they believed it would be beneficial to the wider intelligence scene. Throughout the years I worked with the Branch, my handlers would constantly give me advice, and their advice would always turn out to be honest and beneficial to me. I knew that I was putting my very life in their hands on a daily basis, and I believe that they never betrayed that trust. Felix became someone special to me because of the understanding and trust we built up during the years I was working as a British agent. If I was ever in doubt I would seek his advice and always take it. He would never let me down. But I was also vaguely aware that, if the senior officers believed it necessary, they would sacrifice me, probably without a second thought!

There were



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