Spy recruitment attempts in Tyrone

tyrone | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Friday November 23, 2007 22:01 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin

Republican Sinn Féin have warned that Brit spies have been attempting to recruit informers in the Tyrone area.

SPY RECRUITMENT ATTEMPTS IN TYRONE

A member of Republican Sinn Féin in East Tyrone has warned that British agents have been actively seeking to recruit informers in East Tyrone. Aodhon O'Cuinn, Cathoirleach (Chairperson) of the McKearney/McCaughey Cumann described two approaches by British intelligence:

“Whilst walking to work on Monday, 29th October I, Aodhan O'Cuinn – Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of the McKearney/ McCaughey Cumann, was approached by two individuals from British intelligence. They informed me that I was being monitored for some time and made detailed reference to my movements. My family and girlfriend were also mentioned, and an attempt was made to give me a contact number.

“I refused to take the phone number, and was told that it would be financially beneficial for me to cooperate with them. They pointed to a car and told me that it could be mine. As they could see that they were making no progress they left, warning that they would return.

“Early on Tuesday, 20th November, as I was walking home from work, they made good on their promise. I was followed down an isolated country road; they drove alongside me and stopped. Thinking it was someone looking for directions I stopped. At this point they tried to offer me a lift and engage me in conversation, again offering me money for information on Republican activity. They mentioned family members, including a relative in poor health. However, none of those mentioned have any connection with Republican Sinn Féin. I was told that I needed protection and would continue to enjoy this for as long as I was passing on information. They said that I could get up to whatever I wanted ... they didn't care.

“Enquiring as to why I would need protection, they replied: 'We don't need any evidence to arrest you – look at what we did at Sixmilecross. Do you want us to come to your house next?' At this point an occupant of the car suddenly and forcibly stuck a hand in my jacket pocket and they drove of at speed. Inside my pocket I discovered a green piece of card containing a mobile telephone number. This is now in the custody of Comhairle Uladh (Ulster Executive of Republican Sinn Féin).

“As they have made good on some of their promises already, I fully expect to see the RUC/PSNI paramilitary snatch squad breaking into my house, wrecking my family's home and abusing them at gunpoint just as they did in Sixmilecross. Their intention is to silence legitimate political activity against British rule in East Tyrone. But we cannot and will not be bought. We will not be intimidated. There are those in Tyrone who remain loyal to the All-Ireland Republic and who will not collude or cooperate with British rule,” he said.

Republican Sinn Féin calls on anyone who has been approached by either British or Free State agents, or who may have been compromised, to immediately come forward to the Republican Movement.