IRA turncoat to tell America of group's 'terror'

February 21, 1997
Web posted at: 11:00 p.m. EST (0400)

From Correspondent Richard Blystone

LONDON (CNN) -- Sean O'Callaghan is on a mission. With Northern Ireland peace talks on hold, the former Irish Republican Army hit man is planning to tour the United States. His goal: to give a harsh inside perspective on the IRA, persuading Americans the group isn't as romantic as it is sometimes portrayed.

"I honestly do not believe that the IRA and the Republican leadership will ever abandon the use of terror," O'Callaghan said.

O'Callaghan is spreading his message at a delicate time for Northern Ireland. A long-standing IRA cease-fire ended a year ago, with little progress in peace talks since then. With violence escalating, the U.S. has denied a visa to Gerry Adams, leader of the IRA's political wing Sinn Fein.

Not so with O'Callaghan, one of Adams' harshest critics. Reviled as a turncoat and suspected of selling out, he still gets attention -- because he once killed for the IRA and has served time for it.

Sick of violence, he says, he became an informer, foiling among other things, a plot during the 1980s to blow up the Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana.

Though he's had no firsthand knowledge of IRA activities since 1985, O'Callaghan rejects the claims of Sinn Fein leaders that they don't control the IRA.

"I'm not saying that on a day-to-day basis that [Sinn Fein leader] Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness are aware of all IRA activity," said O'Callaghan. Instead, he said "political people" within the IRA call the shots.

Madeline Albright, who opposed letting Adams visit the U.S., is now secretary of state, and in this position is backing British and Irish government positions.

(96K/14 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)

Meanwhile Sinn Fein risks losing the connections that gave it a degree of legitimacy during the cease-fire. The killing of a young British soldier at a checkpoint in Northern Ireland last week has stirred many Catholics -- and increased animosity against the IRA.

John Hume, head of the moderate Nationalist Social Democratic and Labor Party, told Sinn Fein to publicly call for an end to the killing or forget any cooperation from him.

Then there are this year's elections. Britain's will be held during the spring and Ireland's is scheduled afterwards. Renewed violence in Northern Ireland is sure to have an influence, as opinions on both sides of the divide continue to grow more strident.

 

Related stories:

• Ex-IRA member tells of alleged plot to kill British royals - December 27, 1996
• Police: Raids foil IRA bomb plot - September 23, 1996

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• Northern Ireland: Frameworks for the Future
• Northern Ireland Information Centre
• Northern Ireland Government Home Page
• Sinn Fein - Home Page

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

Tell us what you think! You said it...

© 1997 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.