SAS Veteran On Working Undercover With MI5 And The Det

Mick Hawkes, former 22 SAS, shares some of his experiences from working undercover with MI5 and in Northern Ireland with 14 Intelligence Company, otherwise known as 'The Det'.
Watch the full episode - • Mick Hawkes | 14 Years...

[@gingashednomad6401]

I think we can all agree this guy makes sense 😮

[@chrissheppard5068]

if that makes sense.

[@madzangels]

tossers

[@gtd65]

I served in the same unit and battery that Mick was originally part of. Back in 1987, our BC (a Major and previously SAS) called us into the bar and said he had some good news. He said, "well guys, you were going to be in Sardinia for 6 months but I've managed to pull some strings and we're off to Northern Ireland, instead". Some of the lads were excited but I just though FFS! NI was a bit of an eye opener, things were much more active than the news reports would suggest. It's also one of the reasons I do not take anything that's reported in the MSM. at face value. I had a bit of laugh, when Shankhill Road was mentioned in the video, because in my experience the loyalist areas were the most friendly, supportive, parts of Belfast that I served in. In many of the Republican areas, the majority of people were actually very decent but you did elevate your awareness levels significantly. What I found interesting was that we had books cataloguing the "known players" of the time. It seemed that any threat could easily have been removed, if the plan had been to remove it. One of the biggest ironies, was back when I thought about joining the Army, I used to speak to an older Irish chap, quite regularly, about all and sundry and he suggested that joining up would be a great experience. After I'd left the Army, he told me that he was part of the IRA. Might be complete bullshit of course.

[@kevinadamson5768]

In civvie street every boring old bastard in a pub is ex SAS, mi5 or IRA. 😂😂😂

[@gtd65]

@@kevinadamson5768 those 2500 chaps on the balcony need a drink 🤣

[@kevinadamson5768]

@@gtd65 indeed they do mate.🤣🤣

[@thesaint8400]

As someone from Belfast, this is all fascinating. Can't believe an SAS guy with an English accent just dandered about Republican areas and casually tapped on the door of a senior IRA leader.

[@Aindriuh]

Lots of people with English accents lived in Republican areas.

[@Luton-Mick]

Robert Nairac did and paid the ultimate price.

[@adwilliams134]

There were even people with English accents living in South Armagh, including a retired Major. People with English or other non-Northern Irish accents were not unusual.

[@andrewscott8950]

Sas he might be, but he's full of shit about the det

[@freespeech4023]

​@@adwilliams134, There was a few English lads drinking in Donnllys pub in I think its called silver Bridge near Crossmaglen, No one cared but I found it funny .

[@Unity-v3f]

The Det must have been desperate for volunteers in the 90's as they visited my RAF base to drum up some business! It seemed an insane role. Brave doesn't even come close to the expectations. I take my hat off to anybody who joined.

[@mohammadcheema7375]

That’s a new covert technique right there. Knock on the door with a clipboard and speak using your natural accent. Why make things harder than they need to be? Love it.

[@thesaint8400]

I'm amazed he got away with it frankly. It'd be outrageously suspicious for a guy with an English accent to walk around in an area like that. Probably helped that the IRA leaders were thick as bricks.

[@mohammadcheema7375]

Great way of putting it. That makes perfect sense now.

[@jerryoshea3116]

​@@thesaint8400A successful bluff,& the IRA Leaders were far from Romantic characters like Micheal Collins,but Thick they weren't! Otherwise the Brits wouldn't have struggled all of those yrs trying to bring them down!

[@stopthewave3907]

​@thesaint8400 why? Loads of English worked in ni with no issues at all? He even explains it on another interview.

[@stevenfinlay32]

Not a chance would and English person with a clipboard not be suspicious in a Republican area if Belfast doesn’t matter I call bullshit on that

[@shecksthesheckler423]

As a scouser I was installing some cable and the locals just thought i popped over on the boat working, they were clueless that I was a squaddie, one even said watch out for the patrols they can be assholes lol, then when I was installing TV aerials in mill street even the squaddies thought i was a civvy

[@zookeeper4230]

Born and bred in Belfast 74, so I did the full tour through The Troubles. I love hearing English tell us how it was. I could quote Batman, “I was born in it and didn’t know peace till 94”, but that would be lost on most here.

[@charliebrown7904]

I am from Belfast, family on both "sides", grew up through the "troubles"; - some very bad times - I joined Royal Marines at 17.

[@Hiberno_sperg]

Similar story here. Mixed background joined the Royal Irish Regiment at 18.

[@kevinhitchmough1053]

Mick brilliant bloke very professional guy and treats everyone the same

[@williamgordon2919]

I was a guest in palace barracks nick for a weekend, (long story) while in I noticed another guest in a cell across from me was getting visits from guys in civvie suits, and seemed to be getting special treatment. I didnt have a clue till one of the RPs told me he was sas and had been nicked for supplying weapons to the loyalists. Whether that is true or not I dont know, maybe someone would know more about it. I just think myself that it would be a big thing and something would be in the news, but never saw or heard anything about it. Either it was kept well quiet or it was bull from the RP. who knows, but it kept me entertained for the weekend lol.

[@daveboon5992]

Many Tradesmen were in NI during that period. 😳

[@taffdavies35]

I drove Q cars in Derry and Belfast in the late 70's, hillman hunters and austin maxi where the big fast cars and mini's where liason or padre cars.

[@davida369]

Did you ever go to Shantallow?

[@taffdavies35]

@davida369 drove to many many parts of the province, on a rest day I used to volunteer to man the ribs and landing craft with the marines out of Fort George, londonderry. Good fun.

[@davida369]

@@taffdavies35 I was dragged up in Shantallow, one of the locals was an ex royal marine commando.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

1. Thank you from all Irish Unionists, 2. Londonderry pal, Derry is a town in Galway.

[@davida369]

@@MrLorenzovanmatterho Derry/Londonderry, whatever you want to refer to it as, it will always be a shithole to me, a backwater, a quagmire.

[@GJ67]

I remember “Rab “ . Such a great guy died a month out of the army on a motorbike.

[@derektomlinson6514]

What I cant fathom is how many service people do not understand is who they really serve.

[@GIZALARF]

His nickname should have been ITMS. Did anyone else re-watch to count how many times he said 'If That Makes Sense' ? 🤔

[@peterdockerty8077]

Always remember when the “Strikes” were on and our regular tea stops in the prod areas turned into like being in the Catholic areas and funnily enough the Catholic area started offering tea. It was a weird time …

[@elliottg.1954]

The sneaky beakies in N.I. were ordinary people doing extraordinary stuff. For young men and women in their twenties it was all very dangerous work. The general public has no idea, and from memory, they couldn't have cared less at the time.

[@jpfarrell66]

We mostly speak English in Northern Ireland

[@thesaint8400]

Ah come on, he was on about the accent.

[@thewomble1509]

With an English accent?????

[@plumduff3303]

I knew someone in 14 ..targeted in NI he had to leave pronto ..dangerous times..peace is the best result.

[@dkbt1]

Balls of steel! I can only imagine how dangerous that work would have been back then. One slip up=death by torture. Respect to you and your brothers…and sisters….🫡

[@Aindriuh]

The 'Green army' hardly ever moved against the Loyalists in the 1980's.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

Nor should they, the IRA were the problem, no IRA and the Loyalists cease to exist.

[@jonathanmawdesley-thomas1863]

Would having long hair wouldn’t that make you stand out and hence get potentially recognised ? Mind u1970’s lots of long hair ….very interesting account ,and observation about bad guys being on both sides. ( Army though likes to make easy to understand so simplies often complex situations , into black and white scenario’s . ) These 14 int guys are very smart boys and creative .Thank u for sharing your stories .

[@Emerald007007]

Im Irish Republican and this guy is very fair

[@bobreed250]

Makes total sense

[@mrtwitchy1409]

Does it make sense

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Served 4 tours from 1978-1990. My regiment never supposed Catholics bad, Protestants good. Indeed religion didn’t really come into: Republican or Nationalist. In 1982, I was COP in Fermanagh, the lower level of designated int tasking.

[@Fran-ct4kb]

The numbers don’t reflect this, how many republicans were killed by the British army as opposed too loyalists, I think they only killed one loyalist, after he murdered a civilian at the ardoyne.

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

@@Fran-ct4kb That’s easily settled by the obvious fact that unionists largely lived in a political climate amenable to their aims. Republicans once committed to armed struggle (effectively from the end of the Irish civil war) had to fight more often. In British Army patrols on the streets there were Catholics and Protestants. But not Republicans and Unionists. But the idea that Unionists could, with impunity, run around the Province armed to the teeth is utter bullshit. Also the former soldier does his SAS a remarkable disservice. In my experience COP/COT units were formed to ease the workload of D Sqn SAS, by taking on lower but significant level int tasks, allocated by TCG which required COP teams being on the ground for longer (approx 4 nights/3 days). In that that sense COP (or COT if RM) were the hard routine specialists. But SAS weren’t gung ho. It is a sad fact that the British Army was able to hone key infantry/pathfinder/SF skills in a domestic dispute. For what it’s worth, I hope for a United Ireland. Lord Dannat did himself no favours recently when insisting that unionists must be protected should unification go ahead. There is no reliably int to suggest that unionists would be targeted. In March 2024, MI5 downgraded the terror threat facing the PSNI from SEVERE to SUBSTANTIAL. Unification will bring an end to that.

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Don’t know why my original post was edited. Nothing controversial. And my response was deleted. KZbin nonsense.

[@Fran-ct4kb]

@@RalphBrooker-gn9iv rewrite it in a more sanitised version

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

@@Fran-ct4kb No. I it was all clear enough. And passed 30 years of security wrap.

[@simonrb1942]

I went through training at DISC Chicksands and a couple of the WO's were ex 14 Int. Sounds like one of the scariest things anyone could do in the military. They would tell us next to nothing but what they did was utterly terrifying.

[@daniboy0812]

You think it’s all over? Think again. I was in SRR building in Credenhill for a few months and they’re busier than ever. They do deal with a lot of other stuff too regarding people of interest

[@DessieTots]

But at the beginning the Catholics were the good guys who were being persecuted by Protestants. The violence from Sinn Fein kicked off as a response to the army becoming more of a problem than a help.

[@thesaint8400]

Let's be honest, the issue is far deeper than that.

[@barneymagee3285]

“Persecuted by Protestants “my @rse…..

[@leddielive]

Quite ironic that you played the grey man & now you are a grey man, funny old world innit? 🤣😂🤣

[@michaelfoster9849]

Tokyo and JB

[@DarrenThompson-k7b]

If that makes sense.

[@BryanHutcheson]

I thought better of you Mick, we conduct ourselves in a way that maintains the integrity of what we have done. Remember the ethos. Not self self praise for recognition.

[@johnallen7807]

My thoughts exactly! did he get EPAW authority I wonder? an awful lot seem to have forgotten the "need to know" principle.

[@GB-vn1tf]

As a civi that knew many guys that served I agree. I've learned loads of information about tactics and techniques from listening to these guys. Don't they understand they're making it easier for any enemy?

[@Bruneval66]

I couldn't agree more! All these military 'celebrities' have forgotten how to behave. Spouting off about CAC, R to I, Tradecraft ... its an utter disgrace! Every time one speaks out, and gives a little bit more information in their books, television programmes and interviews, than the last, they appear to think its doesn't matter and that they've said nothing 'new'. Its bollocks! They have eroded the training environment and any advantage our troops may have in the future. Fuck all honour and no respect! I've said this before on a forum, and have been blasted by people who tried to tell me that the enemy know how we operate anyway ... Well they didn't before people started gobbing off ... Think about the people serving in the future!

[@danbo20]

I don’t remember him being called Custer… worked with him when he was Troop

[@appygolucky1]

Loose lips sinks ships

[@vinnyd8108]

I can't stop counting the erms

[@andrewdugdale7249]

That makes sense

[@HappyBear376]

Choosing his words my friend. Hope you're well.

[@andybrennand1576]

A serious operator

[@altaylor3988]

I think his nick name should have been "If that makes Sense"

[@michaelwilson4316]

Nickname!-lol we have codenames I think you ment

[@DaveSCameron]

Peace! ☘️📚👏

[@freespeech4023]

MICK (If that makes sense) HAWKES 😂😂😂

[@thewomble1509]

A prod or a teg.

[@eric6360]

You had to be brave just to attend one of North Dets parties. 😂

[@bernardhoney7063]

Used to follow 14int as they knocked down doors my job was to take photos of the event . They would grab some of them on the estate in Derry but not sure what happened to some of the perpetrators,but maybe best not .

[@michaelfoster9849]

You know so little

[@globalnomad450]

I remember reading about a guy who was ex guards, joining the Det. Once he qualified, he went and got a haircut (short back and sides) …he was immediately dropped!

[@jdo1014]

SAS: to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

[@jodu626]

Yes it makes sense 😂

[@scottohara9001]

Hiding in plain sight well done 😂

[@Sandhoeflyerhome]

too many Erms erms erms ... had to switch off

[@adods9824]

Now the Brits and Irish need to unite, and use all their tricks, together : united against the 3rd world invasion swamping both of them .... :-/

[@ruledtrendy5066]

Have you seen the candidates for Sinn Fein lately? They would be better off representing the constituency of Gay Rorke's Drift

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

We British ARE the Irish, that's what being a Unionist means. Mass immigration is a good thing, it means the South will become like the rest of Britain.

[@arielsfish]

Custer got shot off his horse by a girl if I'm not .mistaken, lucky for u, u didn't get singled out 😊

[@Fran-ct4kb]

Maybe they were the bad guys carrying the guns! Not the native Irish people!

[@BadgerUKvideo]

I prefer the idea there were bad guys on all sides. It's more real to life and less brainwashy.

[@Fran-ct4kb]

@@BadgerUKvideo no, the native Irish who were living under a repressive regime were pursuing equality and freedom

[@BadgerUKvideo]

@@Fran-ct4kb Sorry mate but you don't sound like you're old enough to talk about a subject this complex to any level of proficiency. Best of luck to you though.

[@Fran-ct4kb]

@@BadgerUKvideo lived it kid! I take it your English!?

[@BadgerUKvideo]

@@Fran-ct4kb It's possible to make the argument that killing innocent women and children is not something bad but you'd have to be someone who struggles to tie their own shoelaces to even begin trying to make that argument work. The Troubles ended over 20 years ago. If you're honestly over 20 and still at this level mentally then how are you able to use a keyboard? Why lie mate? You're not gaining anything. We were all useless when we were younger than 8. Nothing to be ashamed of. You'll get wiser and smarter as you age. But you've got to get out of the habit of lying.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

What a great debt we owe to the SAS/14th Int etc, they played a crucial role in defeating the IRA.

[@Hiberno_sperg]

Is that the what happened? Everyone of them got let out of prison and their political wing run the country. The use of SAS and Parachute regiment were 2 biggest recruitment drivers for the IRA

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

@@Hiberno_sperg Yes, they gave up their murderous campaign, destroyed their weapons and pledged to only use peaceful and democratic methods, all Britain ever wanted. And of course the Loyalists all got out too. Their political wing don't "run the country", Westminster does. The use of the SAS and Parachute Regiment played a huge part in defeating the IRA, killing or capturing hundreds of terrrorists and we Irish are forever in their debt, our brave heroes. Come on Nazi boy, just it admit it was wrong, it's the Shamrock Awakening, the Father Ted generation are in charge, it's over, you lost.

[@simontmn]

Holding the IRA to a draw, maybe.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

@@simontmn No, Britain won, defeating the IRA and getting everything we wanted.

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

@@Hiberno_sperg The Paras and SAS killed or captured hundreds of terrorists and were a leading factor in their defeat, forcing Irish Nationalism to resort to purely peaceful and democratic means which is ALL we ever wanted.

[@mackfin8869]

Murders

[@Alisdair_UK]

Wow, stick to the point. Respect the experience massively, but I lasted half way. He made great stories, REALLY boring.

[@KumaBean]

I really wanted to listen to what this guy had to say, but erm, erm, erm, erm,…………. 🍻

[@Fredders88]

Title should be: Terrorist speaks about his time in Ireland.

[@danocinneide1885]

The Empire is over....

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

Yep, the greatest force for good in human history sure is. What is your point?

[@danocinneide1885]

@@MrLorenzovanmatterho you sound very religious ...!

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

@@danocinneide1885 Not at all, but I believe in the Act of Toleration, the equality of all religions, I celebrate it every 12th of July.

[@danocinneide1885]

@@MrLorenzovanmatterho No such thing as The Truth, ?

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

@@danocinneide1885 Yes there is, I just told it to you. What is wrong with you that you can't understand that?

[@MACHOO179]

'The Increment' maybe 🤔🤫🫣🤐

[@gregchapman5556]

Really interesting. I had mates in 14 Int nobody really understands just how dangerous the work was. The selection was extremely difficult and the job was incredibly important.

[@na-dk9vm]

Physically, we're the fitness tests very hard?? Or was it more to do with other traits??

[@kevinadamson5768]

I knew lads went to the det, it was mostly mental from what I heard. ​@@na-dk9vm

[@GJ67]

Was one of them called Keith Raby?

[@anfearcrionna]

It that makes sense

[@eapc44]

Most of my friends in the special forces wont speak about any operational tasks they have been in or will just keep it a secret so it doesnt put other operators at risk When doing covert ops But with the media wanting to learn more it should be kept a close door i feel Good luck sir

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

All your mates in SF won’t talk to you. Jeez, I’m welling up here.

[@rossross8224]

@@RalphBrooker-gn9iv lol

[@jonathanmawdesley-thomas1863]

The troubles are over ( more accurately,probably simmering under the surface ). This was along time ago 1980’s ,we’ve had the Good Friday agreement. I think it’s interesting and he isn’t going into specifics , he’s not putting anyone at risk he’s just telling his account of things .( and explaining some terminology)

[@mikewinston8709]

I’m a 2434 from 74 - 98. I went to Ashford to the Int Centre in 92 for pre selection for 14 Int and Sy. 48 of us started the five day course; 8 finished, I was not one of them …..😂

[@steveh5005]

Me too...pulled off. To tall believe it or not! Around 1988. Very strict on wanting the grey man ( or woman)

[@tony007newcastkeNE4]

2485 lol

[@peterdockerty8077]

2434 myself too but 73-19

[@m3photo726]

@@peterdockerty8077More like a 2432 for 73. How did you stay in for 46 years? 😂

[@Beauloqs]

2472

[@thomasshepard6030]

My mates brother was with the det he was a Royal Marine 1976 from Glasgow he is dead now died from alcoholism

[@AktarusGoldrake-zb8fs]

I have double citizenship, my dad italian my mum from Belfast. Joined the Royal Navy at the age of 19 and discharged at 41. Probably the best thing I ever done in my life, no regrets whatsoever but my life too has been a struggle since I left what was everything I ever known. I feel sorry for your mate's brother, i know of a lot of stories like that one 🕯️

[@jonathanmawdesley-thomas1863]

Sadly that is true of many soldiers , life after leaving an elite regiment is somewhat tedious

[@HIGHLANDER555]

Which Loyalist terror ttacks were stopped by the SAS?

[@encoreunefois1X]

Nothing makes sense

[@JamesF-vb2zh]

Interesting. He suggests both sides were as bad as each other. Which is the case in every conflict area. People taking advantage of other people's misery under the guise of protecting areas. There would be a lot of army PR people in the UK unhappy with this. But it's the truth.

[@WILLIAM1690WALES]

So you are saying loyalists are the bad guys who support the UK,the royal family and of course the UNION flag. I suppose you can say that in the safety of where ever you are in a shit hole end of southern England, if offended yes I don’t give a shit, WATP 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧

[@willow666able]

Not to mention the losses by the RUC and UDR.

[@ianjenkins5389]

Well said, from an ex NI vet.

[@alanwright3172]

The same "Loyalist" who threatened to spray the police and the Army (Forces of the crown) with petrol and immolate them because they couldn't march their banners through a catholic village? He said there were bad guys on BOTH sides . If the catholic population had been given the same consideration as the protestant population before the civil rights marches then the PIRA and INLA wouldn't have got a foot in the door. There is a huge difference between patriotism and petty nationalism hiding under the union flag.

[@Fran-ct4kb]

The British had no right to be in Ireland.

[@ianjenkins5389]

@@Fran-ct4kb That's not what the Loyalists think, and anyway Ireland now has the joys of unlimited immigration of third world dross who will cause more ' trouble ' than the British ever did. Enjoy.

[@Luton-Mick]

Nairac was warned by the good folk of South Armagh that his cover was blown and was given the chance to leave but his ego ultimately got him killed after he tried to double bluff "the thick Paddies".

[@MrLorenzovanmatterho]

He was a true hero who was too brave for his own good, sacrificing his life to save innocent people.

[@jackoshea7668]

Good episode …if that makes sense 😂

[@michaelfoster9849]

I was there

[@ianjackson8643]

Iusedto work int Ri(ni) at aldergrove and the det. guys used to come to our bar quite often had many great nights chatting to the guys

[@Scoosh-lo4xr]

See if you believed the comment section on vids like this the det , 22SAS etc would be hundreds of thousands strong 😂 everyone has been involved

[@davida369]

Did he ever meet Captain Nairac of the Miami Showband massacre and the Monaghan and Dublin bombings?

[@thomasshepard6030]

Nairac was not in the SAS

[@davida369]

@@thomasshepard6030 Never said he was.

[@graemer3657]

Nairac was SAS, or very connected to them. My uncle was in Special branch and witnessed his interrogation during SAS selection by more senior officers as part of his own training. Yes, I know that many people say he wasn’t, but his death was 50 years ago and I have no reason to lie.

[@geordiewishart1683]

David, good to see you spouting the usual Irish republican propaganda. As a Londonderry man, did you ever meet Military Intelligence agent Martin McGuinness?

[@davida369]

@@geordiewishart1683 Yes, I walked past him in the Creggan Estate, he nodded at me I nodded back as I thought it was wise to acknowledge him, what republican propaganda are you referring to?

[@Zxcbr267]

Respect to the man✊

[@timeverett5738]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@robertwoodroffe123]

Irish guy at the pearly gates ! St. Peter what have you done to get in ? Irish ☘️ guy I’m giving you all 15 minutes to get out !!

[@kevinadamson5768]

I did two border tours in the Scots guards in the 80,s and I remember on several occasions lads from the det would arrive at our checkpoints, we would stand a man down and they would take over on the gate to gather Intel. They were called FRU I think. 😊

[@stephensmith4480]

Kevin, the Det and The FRU are two different units. The Det, or 14 Intelligence and security unit and the FRU are The Force Research Unit. The Det dealt with pro active intelligence, as a back up to the likes of The SAS, The RUC Special Branch and MI5. The FRU dealt with Humint ( human intelligence ) They were Agent Handlers.

[@colinjones7741]

Being an x sqadie some of the comments on here are uncalled for.

[@ericparton1232]

No respect they would not last two minutes in the force.

[@BritishBibleBelievers]

Ulster people are British. I think he meant to say speaking with an English accent from the mainland. Also, the Catholic church is the ONLY 'church' with its own private army - the Jesuits.

[@jackthelad15]

😂😂😂😂 ulster in Irish

[@Michael-4]

That makes sense.

[@Ohaodhatirfothuinn]

Was a pretty boring story, “If that makes sense” 😅👎🏻

[@robertknight5429]

Up the RA. Tiochfadh ar la!

[@TineBeo]

How does he stand on the SAS shooting unarmed IRA members?

[@Dr.Ian-Plect]

State the full context.

[@liamwalsh6839]

I would imagine he would think that these IRA members didn’t have any feelings for the innocent people they murdered at the Remembrance Day massacre, or the two children they murdered in Warrington, or the people they burned to death at the le mon hotel, or the children they blew up on Mountbattens boat, or the………………..

[@406estate]

@@liamwalsh6839or the innocent people murdered by the paras on Bloody Sunday in Derry 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@johnallen7807]

@@Dr.Ian-Plect I imagine he means the Gibraltar incident, after all PIRA were well known for carrying large signs sayed "armed" or "unarmed"???

[@Dr.Ian-Plect]

@@johnallen7807 Indeed, clearly the SAS need an eye test as part of selection.