MI5 faces legal action over information ‘shake-down’

A young County Tyrone man is to sue MI5 after attempts were made to recruit him as an informer while working in England.

The 21 year-old Emmet McElhatton is the nephew of prominent republican Kevin Barry Murphy.

He said he was approached on a number of occasions whilst in London on a plumbing contract last month.

In one incident, when he was returning to the Six Counties from England, he had his arm “twisted” behind his back after refusing to give his phone to MI5 spooks.

The frightening incident, in which Mr McElhatton was pushed into a room at Belfast International Airport, took place on March 27th.

“They were very rash and angry and used a lot of bad language,” the 21 year-old said.

“They offered me money and they said they could help me get to Australia.

“At one stage my phone went off and I turned it off.

“One of the men demanded my phone and I wouldn’t give it to him he twisted my arm behind my back.”

His uncle’s name was mentioned to him during the approaches, as well as that of Damien McLaughlin from Tyrone, who was interned last week.

“In the end they said: ‘Are you willing to help us?’

“I said ‘no’ and one of them said: ‘The next time you see us we will be wearing forensic suits.’

Mr McElhatton has now vowed not to return to England after what he said was a “terrifying” experience.

“I am not politically involved in anything,” he said.

“I think I am being targeted because of my family background.”

“The whole thing experience was terrifying, knowing I am being watched, my phone calls tracked and being followed.”

The Cookstown man’s lawyer Peter Corrigan said he was pursuing legal action against M15.

“We will be taking legal action against MI5 for an invasion of his privacy under article 8 on the European convention,” Mr Corrigan said.

“They were disturbing him while he went about his business and work in London. That is improper policing.”

Urgent Appeal