USA: FORMER IRA MEMBER SEAN O'CALLAGHAN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT IRA

(23 Feb 1997) English/Nat
A former I-R-A guerrilla-turned-informer says U-S pressure is needed to help persuade Irish nationalists to renounce terrorism forever.
Sean O'Callaghan made the comments in Washington during his first visit to the U-S.
He also warned that with the onset of spring Northern Ireland could face what he called "really serious bloodshed" because the I-R-A had abandoned the cease-fire.
O'Callaghan was released in early December after serving eight years of multiple life sentences in British prisons for two homicides and other terrorist attacks.
But Irish Republican representatives in the U-S question O'Callaghan's motives.
He is known as one of the biggest betrayers of the Irish Republican Army (I-R-A).
Sean O'Callaghan became famous when he revealed an I-R-A plot to blow up the Prince and Princess of Wales at a rock concert in London.
In December, O'Callaghan was freed from prison by command of the Queen.
He served only eight years of a 539-year sentence for two murders and numerous other offences.
Now, he's probably high on the I-R-A hit list.
But O'Callaghan says a price on his head won't stop him from spreading his message and warning the public about the dangers of the I-R-A.
SOUNDBITE:
"They are a very, very tough hard leadership who will do whatever is necessary to advance their cause. If that means being nice to people, talking to people, they will do that. If it means murdering people, they will do that, as well."
SUPER CAPTION: Sean O'Callaghan, Former I-R-A guerrilla
O'Callaghan spent almost twenty years in the I-R-A, 10 of them as an informer.
During that time, he says he learned that the I-R-A and the Sinn Fein party -- seen as the I-R-A's political wing -- are deeply entwined.
O'Callaghan claims that Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and other Republican (nationalist) politicians do control I-R-A actions, although this is something they've constantly denied.
SOUNDBITE:
"Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, and those people are the chief strategists in the Republican movement. While the don't take a day to day part in I-R-A activities, they are the people who decide if the I-R-A campaign is to be intensified, if it's to be left off, if there is to be a cease-fire, if the cease-fire is to end."
SUPER CAPTION: Sean O'Callaghan, Former I-R-A guerrilla
O'Callaghan's in the U-S for a three-week tour to spread his message to politicians, senior officials and the media.
While in Washington, he plans to ask the Clinton administration to close the Washington Sinn Fein office, and ban its fund-raising in the U-S.
He says that allowing Sinn Fein a role in the peace process is like condoning terrorism and he had this message for President Clinton.
SOUNDBITE:
"Until they renounce violence completely, the door should be closed, and they should be pushed into the corner where they have to make the hard decisions. You cannot, as I say, these are very tough, hard political operators, you just can't soft-soap them, you cannot treat them softly, because they will walk all over you. They will see it as a weakness, and they will walk all over you."
SUPER CAPTION: Sean O'Callaghan, Former I-R-A guerrilla
But Sinn Fein representatives in the U-S warn the public not to be fooled by O'Callaghan, saying he's unstable and has no credibility.
Sinn Fein maintains he was released from prison to help promote British propaganda and divide the nationalist movement.
SOUNDBITE:
SUPER CAPTION: Mairead Keane, Sinn Fein Representative to the U-S
SOUNDBITE:
SOUNDBITE:
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[@chrishughes5953]

This grass was in jail for keeping a rent boy hostage

[@leeodonoghue1931]

Was He Really ????? Hes Hes Hypocritical and He Has a agenda

[@ruger148]

For those that take O'Callaghan serious I pity your gullibility.

[@joprocter4573]

Just pronounced yourself in league with terrorists

[@michaelbarry4055]

FENIAN ASSASSINS

[@shredder9536]

He was an informer, then McGuinness and Adams encouraged people to become informers by passing information about armed Republicans

[@ATLmodK]

This man got so much money for turning in people who trusted him. I give him all the respect he deserves. None

[@michaelmclaughlin2039]

O' Callaghan is a Walter Mitty character. People who were actual members of the IRA laugh at his claim that he was a top-ranking commander in the IRA. The IRA doesn't have commanders: everyone is a volunteer. Yet, the mainstream media rolls him out when it requires an "expert" opinion on things... which just so happens to suit the MSM perspective. Do investigative journalists really believe this guy? Honestly, it doesn't take a genius to figure-out that O' Callaghan is just a bit of a trickster, who has been living-off his IRA fantasy for all of his sad, pathetic life.

[@hippieeyez7636]

Sean O'Callaghan was head of Southern Command you fucking moron. You must be a Yank

[@ruger148]

Hippie Eyez According to himself.

[@johnbissett4332]

He was also a member of the Beatles according to himself.

[@joprocter4573]

Take it you in Ira to claim they don't have commanders

[@shredder9536]

IRA do have commanders

[@user-nq6lw6qm4l]

How can he be both a Walter Mitty and a traitor. Surely if he has no standing in the republican movement then how can he betray them. It does appear tbis guy is speaking the truth and some people do not like it. Wonder is Scappatici a Walter Mitty? lol

[@chriswilson8062]

Traitor

[@patglennon9671]

walter mitty o Callaghan, the lad needs help.

[@SFCJChase]

A Coward and a Traitor.

[@XtreemMetalManRedToTheBone]

you mean he's not a terrorist.

[@iainadams6338]

Tout

[@timpatjoe]

He's not well in the head. He's from my home town everyone knows he is unwell.

[@greatone7314]

are you?

[@joprocter4573]

If being honest not right in head then he got my vote

[@AmsterdamagedHQ]

An utter fantasist

[@kmarx7517]

Walter mitty.....fact

[@timpatjoe]

He's not well in the head. He's from my home town everyone knows he is unwell.

[@patrickbrennan5841]

you are some gobshite

[@ruger148]

Patrick Brennan No Brennan you're the clown.