Irish Republican News · January 26, 2004

Further details of FRU revealed

Members of the British Army's murderous `Dirty War' unit, the FRU (Force Research Unit), also known as JSG (Joint Services Group) have been named on a U.S. based website.

The documents published include an FRU contact book with about a hundred contact phone numbers, and a legal complaint by a former British spy against his former handler and employers.

Sam Rosenfeld, also known as Thomas Doheny, worked undercover for British Army Intelligence in Ireland. In March 1993, he was convicted in Omagh of stealing a car but the sentence was suspended for four hours allowing him to leave British jurisdiction. After crossing the border to the South, he moved to London where he was subsequently arrested and imprisoned.

Alleging that he pleaded guilty under duress, Rosenfeld claimed to be a victim of rivalry between competing intelligence agencies running agents across the border, one of which was the Joint Services Group.

In order to clear his name, Rosenfeld launched a series of legal actions based on his harassment by RUC Special Branch, whom he blames for the death of his unborn daughter. Except for brief references, little appeared on the case in 1994. Coming at a sensitive time with the peace process, the media bowed to pressure from the D-Notice [censorship] committee and refused to report his complaint or name names.

A group photograph of the FRU also emerged recently, allegedly depicting controversial figures accused of planning political assasssinations in Ireland, including the murder of Belfast defence lawyer Pat Finucane in 1989.

Rosenfeld also recently incurred the wrath of his former employers two months by sending a protest letter to the queen, containing alleged photos of fellow spies the FRU then killed.

In that letter, Rosenfeld wrote:

``How can you as Queen allow the very institutions of state which you head to engage in a campaign of terror against your own citizens. More importantly, how many innocent lives were taken as a direct result of agents penetrating the IRA, subsequently becoming entrenched and hunting British agents out of its ranks?

``The obvious question here is how many agents lives were sacrificed to protect others, how many were murdered by other agents operating within the IRA, and who directed and sanctioned these killings?''

Urgent Appeal

Despite increasing support for Irish freedom and unity, we need your help to overcome British and unionist intransigence. We can end the denial of our rights in relation to Brexit, the Irish language, a border poll and legacy issues, with your support.

Please support IRN now to help us continue reporting and campaigning for our national rights. Even one pound a month can make a big difference for us.

Your contribution can be made with a credit or debit card by clicking below. A continuing monthly donation of £2 or more will give you full access to this site. Thank you. Go raibh míle maith agat.