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Stakeknife's Dirty War
- How Scappaticci, British Intelligence and Special Branch Ran the IRA
- Narrated by: Alan Turkington
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
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Stakeknife's Dirty War
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Summary
Freddie Scappaticci was born in 1946 and raised in a deeply nationalist area of Belfast. When the Troubles broke out in 1969, he joined the Provisional IRA, where he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming commander of Belfast in 1984.
From the outside, Scappaticci appeared to be a dedicated volunteer, but inwardly, he had become disenchanted with the IRA and, in 1977, he started working for British intelligence. At the same time, he took up a leading role in a newly formed IRA Internal Security Unit (ISU), aka ‘The Nutting Squad'. He personally executed two suspected informers and condemned at least thirty-seven more to death.
Was he the serial killer that history portrays him? Undoubtedly. But it's not that simple, because every time he passed the death penalty on an informer, he told his British intelligence handlers about the intended execution, giving them the opportunity to prevent the killing.
Did the tasking and co-ordinating group, the primary British intelligence organisation in Northern Ireland during the troubles, aid and abet the IRA in the mass-murder of British citizens? That is the question Richard O'Rawe poses in Stakeknife's Dirty War. But O'Rawe goes further: he lays out a very compelling case that points to the TCGs running the IRA's war from the mid-1980s to the 1994 ceasefire. Such was the British intelliegence penetration of the IRA, that Freddie Scappaticci, aka ‘Stakeknife', was in control of all IRA operations in the Belfast Brigade area. This book will shock listeners, and cause them to reevaluate everything they formerly held to be true about Stakeknife's dirty war in Ireland.
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Pete Page
- 20-12-23
'A true account of Subterfuge played out over many years. Gripping in parts too'!
A fascinating account of life as a double agent with an agenda to betray and slay in order to cement his cover as a Humint agent. I remember reading the breakout stories in the Sunday World on it's ecclusive coverage. Some of the peripheral stories in this book boxed off one or two of my own questions. Great Story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Luis1989
- 25-02-24
It was really very dirty
Very good and objective account. Some very thorough research went into this, I think. If you like spy stories and cloak and dagger stuff you won’t find much better than this.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-03-24
Live by the sword…. Fire with Fire… etc.
Very well researched, written and narrated. A fascinating insight into the murky world of guerrilla warfare and spy craft.
It’s funny how some people judge the government and army tactics as somehow worse than those who undertook indiscriminate bombing of civilian spaces… it was a dirty war on both sides.
Hopefully things never go back to that state of affairs!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- sean reynolds
- 25-02-24
A must read/listen
Shocking revelations in this book however they are very convincing. Very suspicious this individual wasn't unmasked before he was.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- GC
- 20-04-24
Enlightening
A well narrated and informative expose’ of intrigue that would make a compelling drama if it were not for the horror and crippling fear of the reality that all good people of the Island of Ireland sadly endured. Innocent victims including Women and Children wether Republicans, Unionists, and not forgetting the Police and British Soldiers who all paid the ultimate sacrifice in this historic conflict who should never be forgotten. This book depicts the real life drama that they endured and will bring to Life the tragedy of a Troubled time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 17-11-23
Fantastic
A fantastic read which was clearly both very well researched and unbiased in its views. A book I’d have no hesitation in recommending. Flawless.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Swerve
- 20-12-23
Brilliant
Richard O’Rawe’s book presents a challenging yet gripping narrative, particularly resonating with Irish republicans and nationalists. Lacking access to official records or the forthcoming Kenova report, the book inevitably raises more questions than it answers. However, its thorough research and captivating prose provide a convincing and unsettling examination of Stakeknife’s life, his controllers, and the infamous IRA ‘nutting squad’ he led. A key revelation of the book is the suggestion that state-directed TCGs determined the fates of those targeted, implying state control over not just loyalist paramilitary activities, as previously known, but also significant influence over republican operations during Stakeknife’s tenure with the Provos ISU. The timing of the Legacy Act’s implementation, preceding the public release of the Kenova report, suggests an intent to shield state operatives from potential prosecution. O’Rawe commendably illuminates the shadowy realm of informants and agents amidst the Troubles, depicting the era as a ‘Dirty War’.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bob Ryan
- 19-03-24
Dirty war.
This book gave a frightening insight into our recent history and the mind of a madman.
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- Eamon
- 23-11-23
Brilliant story
A fantastic story
Very well written and narrated
A compelling story told in a very entertaining and engaging way
I d highly recommend this book
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3 people found this helpful
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- Mr T Kearney
- 17-01-24
Very insightful, Interesting and well researched.
Some of the pronunciations.were awkward,. especially by a voice actor hailing from these shores. But it was well read.
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