Elaborate informer plot uncovered
By Brian Campbell
A South Armagh businessman was offered £10,000 as part
of an elaborate attempt to get him to work as an
informer. The offer of money was made two weeks ago at
the end of a six-month long Crown Forces operation. The
businessman - who does not wish to be named - refused
the money and has contacted his solicitor.
The recruitment attempt began last September when a man
walked in to the South Armagh business, introduced
himself as ``Kevin Gallagher'' from Castlewellan and
asked for some work to be done for his home.
Gallagher was friendly and talkative and he was soon
talking about sport, an interest shared by the
businessman. He said he was a salesman for Lucozade and
could get All-Ireland tickets and tickets for rugby
internationals. ``He was completely plausible and before
long we were getting on like two mates,'' the
businessman told An Phoblacht.
Two weeks later Gallagher gave the businessman two
O'Neill's footballs for his GAA club and refused to
take any money for them.
He also gave his mobile phone number which the
businessman rang when the work was ready. Gallagher
said he would pick up the work but he would be late and
asked if the businessman would wait behind for him.
The businessman agreed but his wife happened to be with
him when Gallagher arrived. Two men sat outside in
Gallagher's car as he went in and paid for the work in
cash.
Gallagher kept in touch, again promising to get tickets
for big sporting occasions. Shortly before Christmas he
rang again and asked for more work to be done. Two
weeks ago, when the work was ready, Gallagher again
said he would be late and asked the businessman to wait
behind for him. Gallagher called along with two men who
sat in his car. The businessman was alone when
Gallagher called. After paying for the work Gallagher
asked, ``Can I be frank with you?'' He said he worked for
the government and joked that it had nothing to do with
VAT. He spoke about the peace talks and then said, ``I
can make you a lot of money.'' He asked him to keep an
eye on local republicans. ``I'm not asking for anything
big,'' he said.
Gallagher signalled to one of the men in the car, who
got out, approached Gallagher and handed him a wad of
banknotes. ``There's £10,000 there,'' Gallagher said. The
frightened businessman told him he wasn't interested.
``You're talking to the wrong man,'' he said. When it was
clear that the businessman was not prepared to work as
an informer Gallagher and the two men drove off.
Phoblacht phoned the mobile phone number which
Gallagher gave to the businessman and left messages on
the Vodaphone message service. The messages have not
been answered.
SmithKline Beecham (the manufacturers of Lucozade) have
confirmed that they have no-one called Kevin Gallagher
working for them in Ireland.
Sinn Féin negotiator Pat McNamee has warned
nationalists to be very wary. ``The British forces have
never declared a ceasefire. In particular, they seem to
be going to greater and more elaborate lengths to force
people into becoming informers. I would urge anyone who
finds themselves pressured in this way to follow the
example of this businessman and contact a solicitor
immediately.''
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