David Rupert infiltrated the Real IRA, the group behind the 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity, for the FBI and MI5 reports BBCSpotlightNI
By Jennifer O'LearyA US trucker who spied on a dissident Irish republican group says the security service MI5 did not want its leader arrested.
Dissident republicans have not signed up to the peace process and remain committed to using violence to try to bring about a united Ireland.Mr Rupert, who ran a trucking company in Chicago, first visited Ireland in 1992. With US President Bill Clinton heavily invested in the peace process, the White House needed to know from their own spies on the ground if breakaway republicans, like Joe O'Neill who was aligned to a group known as the Continuity IRA, would fill the vacuum.The FBI agent returned to Rupert's office with a new proposition - the FBI would pay for his trips to Ireland in return for information.
He had become trusted by O'Neill's Continuity IRA group, and he had also positioned himself as the bagman for their US fundraising effort, regularly delivering thousands of dollars from Chicago to O'Neill's group in Ireland.In the wake of a second IRA ceasefire in 1997, the danger posed by dissident republicans was even higher.MI5 then made their move and by the summer of 1997, Rupert was working for the FBI and MI5.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Police release man arrested over New IRA claim on John Caldwell shootingIt comes after a typed message was posted on a wall purportedly from the New IRA claiming responsibility for Mr Caldwell's attempted murder.
Read more »
Victim's father marks 30 years since Warrington IRA bombingDad whose 12-year-old son was killed by IRA bomb 30 years ago says campaigning for peace is 'glue which has kept the family together'
Read more »
David Attenborough series 'shines light on NI wildlife'Amy Burns from the RSPB says she hopes Wild Isles inspires people to experience and protect nature.
Read more »
David Attenborough's BBC Wild Isles series leads to spike in interest for Shetland holidaysThe Shetlands, Old Harry Rocks in Dorset and the snowy peaks of the Cairngorms have seen an uptick in visitor interest
Read more »
David Attenborough series 'shines light on NI wildlife'Amy Burns from the RSPB says she hopes Wild Isles inspires people to experience and protect nature.
Read more »
Heartbreaking reason Friends icon David Schwimmer signed up for Celeb Bake OffThe Ross Geller actor was named among the 20 famous faces taking part in this year's celebrity version of The Great British Bake Off
Read more »