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Unsung Hero

How I Saved the Lives of 60 People as a Secret Agent in the IRA

FROM COURIER TO BOMB MAKER

Outside the headquarters of the Security Service - MI5

The strange journey of a British agent who infiltrated the IRA is revealed in a controversial new book - Unsung Hero

It may not be received with acclaim by those with long-lasting memories of the conflict in Northern Ireland, but a new book by former British Army intelligence agent Kevin Fulton, has caused more than the odd ripple in Whitehall. Unsung Hero is a factual account of how Fulton, and other intelligence agents, infiltrated the IRA to its very hierarchy. Unfortunately, to keep his presence secret from the 'Provos', Fulton had to perform tasks that meant he had to participate in certain operations that resulted in both military and civilian casualties. 'You cannot pretend to be a terrorist... I had to be able to do the exact same thing as the IRA man next to me. Otherwise I wouldn't be there.'

In the beginning he performed numerous 'courier runs' as a driver, but his self-taught skills as a master bomb-maker would ultimately cement his relations with the IRA.

Brought up in Newry, County Down, as a young man Fulton had aspirations to join the Army. This was regarded as treacherous by many in Ireland. However, at just 17, he set the wheels in motion and joined the Royal Irish Rangers. The UK's military intelligence services soon recognised his tenacity and covert skills. He was subsequently recruited and trained by specialist officers. In time, he would become one of the UK's most important sources of IRA information. For the next 15 years, Fulton provided intelligence on a whole spate of operations. As the intensity of 'battle' ensued, the IRA became more adventurous and even more deadly. Yet despite the clear and obvious danger, Fulton still made his phone calls, and kept appointments
with his 'handlers'.

Kevin Fulton was flown to New York City to collect parts for IRA improvised explosive devices - accompanied by MI5 and Special Branch Officers

To convince the IRA of his loyalty, Fulton had to 'ply his trade' for a variety of IRA units. His specialty was improvised explosive devices. On one occasion, Fulton claims MI5 arranged a 'weapons-buying trip' to New York. Here he obtained detonators and other equipment that was later used by terrorists to murder soldiers and police officers. 'During my mission to New York, I was accompanied by members of MI5 and the British Army plus one special branch officer. Here we were met by security officers working for US law enforcement. It was evident that IED's were also of concern to the international community,' he said. 'It was all part of the job.'

One of the more controversial sections in the book relates to an incident that occurred in Omagh in August 1998. A massive Real IRA bomb had been secreted inside a car on the town's high street. The warm sunny day had attracted thousands of shoppers, but suddenly the mood changed - the explosives detonated. The force of the blast blew babies across the street, and tore the limbs from children. One body was identified only by its fingerprints. Fulton told Eye Spy that he had learned of the planned attack and had made a phone call to his Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) handler. This was allegedly a full 48-hours prior to the attack. He even provided details of one of the bombing team and the man's car registration. He says this information was 'ignored.' With nearly 30 people dead, the attack was the bloodiest ever seen during 'The Troubles'. A phone call was issued to the police warning of the bomb, but just as people were being shepherded away, the blast occurred. For its part, the RUC say they never received Fulton's warning.

Former British agent Kevin Fulton overlooking MI6 headquarters on
the banks of the River Thames

Fulton's anger at the Ministry of Defence, in respect of what he believes is suitable compensation for his services, is well known in the intelligence world. After an operation compromised his security he fled Northern Ireland. He has always insisted that he was 'abandoned' because his usefulness had now diminished. Yet he told Eye Spy he would do it all again and has 'no
regrets.'

Unsung Hero is a blistering 'raw' read that describes what it is really like to perform undercover in the most chilling environment possible. It's a journal that outlines everything from IRA duties that end in death, to telephone calls and shadowy meetings that ultimately save lives. Fulton explained that the title - Unsung Hero: How I Saved Dozens of Lives as a Secret Agent in the IRA - was the 'absolute choice' of the publisher. 'I had a job to do,' he explained. 'The book is secondary to what I really want - closure. I have no problem with the British Government, but I am fed up with people telling me what happened. At least people can now learn the truth..'

Order from Eye Spy Intelligence Magazine and receive a free copy of Eye Spy Issue 18 (worth £4.50) containing the first interview ever published in an intelligence magazine with Kevin Fulton

Unsung Hero - hardback - available from Eye Spy Ref: ES/1166 £21.00 $45.00

Hardback.288pp

Available from Eye Spy

REF: ES/1166 £21.00 $45.00