The search for a new Judas

British Intelligence agencies sent the wife of a former IRA prisoner an envelope stuffed with cash in an extraordinary attempt to recruit her as an informer.

Martine McCafferty, the wife of Terry McCafferty, said she received the letter containing 500 pounds sterling earlier this week. A note, with a hand-written message addressed to the north Belfast grandmother, was attached to the money along with a mobile phone number to contact.

When Mrs McCafferty, who is in her forties, rang the number a man with an English accent and using the name of ‘Tom’ answered and said he worked for MI5.

There has been a recent upsurge in reported incidents of British intelligence attempting to recruit informers in Ireland. It is believed MI5 in particular is escalating its spying operations for reasons which remain unclear.

Mrs McCafferty, from the New Lodge area of north Belfast, has lodged the money with her lawyer for use in a High Court harassment case against the police.

“The fact that MI5 have upped the campaign of harassment against my family in this way is really worrying,” said Mrs McCafferty.

“The fact that they are targeting me in order to get to my husband is crazy.”

A neighbour of the family, Eamonn Duffy, is taking legal action after being approached several times by intelligence agencies asking him to gather information on the couple.

In an ominous development last week, the Housing Executive had instructed Mrs McCafferty to remove a security gate from the front door of her New Lodge house, raising fears of a possible attack on the home. Housing officials claimed they were acting to satisfy health and safety regulations.

“The fact that MI5 have upped the campaign of harassment against my family in this way is really worrying,” said Mrs McCafferty.

“When I rang the number I told ‘Tom” had no interest in talking to him.

“The fact that they are targeting me in order to get to my husband is crazy.

“We’re really worried. We have children and I’m worried about their safety.

“You just don’t know what they’re going to do next. It’s like they’ll stop at nothing to get to my family.”

Terry McCafferty was summarily jailed in December 2008 after the British government revoked his release licence. He was released by the Parole Commissioners last year.

Solicitor Kevin Winters, who represents the McCafferty family said: “The manner of this approach has placed my client Martine McCafferty in a very difficult and sensitive position.”

Urgent Appeal