The Operation Kenova report read like a work of fiction but was about a horrific violent reality.
The Operation Kenova report into the Army's top spy in the IRA during the Troubles in Northern Ireland at times felt like the plot of a thriller novel.
But the Kenova report did shine light on many of the murky details of what is sometimes referred to as the "dirty war".The report identified this as one of the more incredible claims about the activities of the Army's top agent in the IRA. It struggled, the Kenova report says, to deal with the violence and destruction from the late 1960s onwards.
FRU members operated in plain clothes and unmarked vehicles and used "front companies" such as a mobile laundry service and a massage parlour to gather evidence. In these lectures, they admitted serious criminal offences. The crimes were never dealt with by the criminal justice system. The report said some people "investigated" by the ISU were not agents but instead were preyed upon because of reasons such as IRA hierarchical disputes and, in some cases, to eliminate partners for those involved in extra-marital affairs.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stakeknife report expected to call for government and IRA apologiesThe Operation Kenova report, which took seven years and cost £40m, is to be published on Friday.
Read more »
Operation Kenova: 'Dogs in the street know Scappaticci is Stakeknife'The interim report into the Army's highest-ranking IRA agent will be published on Friday.
Read more »
Operation Kenova: Stakeknife report to be publishedThe report into the top Army agent in the IRA codenamed Stakeknife, linked to 18 murders, will be released
Read more »
Stakeknife: More lives lost than saved in use of British spy who ran IRA 'nutting squad'Report calls on UK government to acknowledge that many murders could have been prevented but for the use of the top British mole and to apologise to bereaved families.
Read more »
Why did the IRA not kill Stakeknife?Freddie Scappaticci, who denied being a top Army agent in the IRA, was spared after facing suspicion.
Read more »
Stakeknife: British spy in IRA probably cost more lives than saved in TroublesThe British Government should apologise for the 'dark arts' which allowed a British agent operating inside the IRA to sanction kidnapping, torture and often murder of those suspected of being informers, according to the man who led the inquiry.
Read more »