Charlie One: The True Story of an Irishman in the British Army and His Role in Covert Counter-Terrorism Operations in Northern Ireland

by Sean Hartnett

Seán Hartnett grew up in Cork in the 1970s where he observed the worst of the northern Troubles with fascination. Despite his family’s strong republican ties and his own attempt to join the IRA, Hartnett shocked family and friends when he changed allegiance and joined the British Armed Forces. In 2001 Hartnett returns to his native Ireland, but this time as a member of the British Army’s most secretive covert counter-terrorist unit in Northern Ireland, Joint Communications Unit Northern Ireland aka JCU-NI, the FRU, 14 Intelligence Company, or simply ‘The Det’. For the next three years Hartnett is directly involved in some of the highest profile events of that period, from the arrest of John Hannan for the bombing of the BBC in London, to the tragic murder of David Caldwell; the prevention of the murder of Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair and some of the biggest blunders by British Intelligence in the history of the Troubles, including the true story behind the murders of Corporals Howes and Wood at an IRA funeral in 1988. ‘Charlie One’, the call sign for the most wanted targets of British Intelligence operations in NI, documents the journey of an Irish Republican serving in Britain’s most secretive counter-terrorism unit. Filled with roller coaster emotions and explosive revelations of British Intelligence covert capabilities and operations, Charlie One provides a truly unique, detailed and unbiased account of the secret war fought on the streets of Northern Ireland.

Genres: Audiobook, History, Nonfiction, Irish Literature

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2016

Reviews

[Abigail Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a military wife I really enjoyed reading this book. Thank you to the author for being so frank about his time in the military and the work done to keep people safe. Brilliant read!

[christopher finlay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Southern Irishman born into a Catholic family.

I was born in 1949 therefore I was in my late teens when the shit really hit the fan in 1968/9 in the North. I was never interested or involved in any way with politics or any illegal organisations. I was just an ordinary young man enjoying life at the time. However, it was impossible not to be aware of what was happening just a few hours drive from home. Like the vast majority of the Irish population I was appaled at the atrocities which were being committed by all sides up there.
Regarding this guy Sean, I am unable to make head nor tail of his fairy tale regarding the Troubles. It was all but over by the time he was stationed up North except for the thugs on both side of both communities who carried on for their own personal gain. No one side had a monopaly on pain and suffering. My own personal opinion is that he got carried away with his own ego and sense of his own importance. I think " Charlie One " should be regarded as a work of fiction and nothing more.
There were no winners or losers during these 30 years, only pain and hurt. As far as I am concerned nothing has changed up there except that the senceless killings and suffering has for the most part ceased. I pray that it remains so.
I am not a writer or author by any means, however, I hope I have expressed myself in an unbiased way. Again, I think Sean is for the birds. Would love to know what he is at now.

[gareth cahoon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your momey

I'm surprised this guy needed any help. His head and ego was plenty he didn't need the army. Any story he told in this book can be googled and rewritten as I'm sure he has done.what a waste of time

[Rhemaboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Thank you, this is a very interesting read and helps us see how many lives were saved because of the bravery of few.

[Douglas Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was brilliant, I thoroughly enjoyed every page and I can understand the tension at first with the writer being from co. Cork.
great read.

[Antti Tee · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting perspective on Northern Ireland in the early 2000's, and very eye-opening on the tactics of the British Special Ops.

However, I was hoping for more existential exploration of the evolution of an Irish national with Republican ties to a British anti-terrorist operative. At least, I would've enjoyed reading about the author's later view on what he thinks the future of Northern Ireland should look like.

What this book also revealed, was that the British Special Ops enjoyed a lot of freedom to do what they please in NI in the early 2000's and that they probably enjoyed a lot more of it during the Troubles. And they made sure that no one would be able to hold them accountable for any of it.

Say what you will about the need for room to operate freely against perceived terrorist threats, but should the same operators enjoy the freedom from consequences to fly a helicopter under the influence of alcohol, and plan Shoot-To-kill missions for no other reason than for revenge?

The author doesn't address this, but it's something the reader should think about.

I'm not usually into these types of action man memoirs, but because of the POV, I found this worth reading.

[Robert Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus.

An excellent read. A story which had to be told. Most enjoyable and highly recommended by one who once lived there.