The Accidental Spy

by Sean O'Driscoll

The gripping real story of the ordinary American man who found himself at the centre of a deadly terrorist organisation - and working for both MI5 and the FBI. A bored trucker from New York took a holiday to Ireland with his new girlfriend and brought down the IRA. Just a quick Google search reveals the level of interest across Britain, Ireland and the US into exactly how this ordinary blue-collar worker found himself at the centre of an espionage ring. David Rupert, a complete outsider with no connection to Ireland, rose to the very top of the Real IRA, all while working for the FBI and British intelligence. But the story is really about just how a bored, frustrated New York trucking manager becomes one of Britain's most valued spies, brings down the entire IRA structure and makes $10 million dollars in the process. Along the way he finds himself in the most extraordinary and terrifying situations - he is involved in major terrorist operations, sets up an Iraqi sting operation and organises US arms shipments with a man being trained to kill the then British prime minister, Tony Blair.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Thriller, Spy Thriller, Ireland

Paperback

First published January 24, 2019

Reviews

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is kind of a wild story about an average Joe kind of guy who is in the trucking business, and when things get bad he goes to Ireland and finds himself in a position where he’s able to set himself up to snoop around people in the IRA. He just became friendly with some of them in the bars and pubs they ran or drank at. When he went back home to the US, he was approached by the FBI and questioned about his time in Ireland. Eventually he was asked to spy when he was there, and they offered to pay for Dave and his wife to travel there.

The couple figured it was a no-brainer for free trips to the country they loved to visit so much, and agreed. Dave told his wife that he really didn’t know anything anyway, so what harm could come of it. Of course things become much more complicated once he’s in and the spying starts. I found it to be an engrossing read, especially since I just read a book about the IRA a while back that told a lot about the history of it, titled, “Say Nothing”. This would be a good book for anyone wanting to read spying on the IRA, or spying in general. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Sean O’Driscoll, and the publisher.

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[Lo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was born and raised in Northern Ireland, I lived there until I was 19 at which point I moved away for University and have since settled in England. On a recent trip home, I was coming back through the airport and was killing time in the bookshop (as per usual) and came across the Irish books sections, all with stories set in Ireland (North and South) and stories written by Irish authors. It hit me then that I have not read a lot of books in either of those categories and I swore to rectify that, so by the time I was boarding the plane I had three very different books either set in Ireland, relating to Ireland or by an Irish author. The Accidental Spy was the first one I read of those books and to be honest with you, I wish I had started with a different book.

The first thing that I should point out is that this book is based on real events and the time that David Rupert spend as a FBI/MI5 spy within the IRA, he didn’t intend to become a spy, he was just an ordinary person who happened to go into Irish Bar in America, fall for an American Irish woman and during a brief trip to Ireland managed to befriend a member of the IRA in Ireland. Following that the FBI essentially strong armed him into becoming a spy without ever really acknowledging the danger that they put him in, and by extension his family as well. And to be honest, I don’t think the author does justice to just how much danger David Rupert was in, if he had of been discovered, which he came close to on a number of occasions and often not because of any mistake on his part he would have been killed and his family would have been targeted.

This book is presented through a series of interviews which are put together in novel format. At the start of the book it is challenging to keep up with who the author is talking to at any given point, which is partly due to how much background information he is trying to portray about David Rupert but also, due to his style of writing. Later in the book it becomes slightly easier to keep track as the field of people that we are interested in narrows, but there are still a lot of moments where I had to re-read entire pages because it jumps so quickly from one person to another.

The actual story of how David Rupert came to be in the position that he was is an incredibly fascinating one, made more interesting due to not only his involvement in the IRA but also his involvement in the American side of things, showing the lengths that some American’s went to in order to fund the activity of the IRA (mostly people with Irish ancestry who couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening in Ireland due to how far removed they were from the actual conflict). At times it feels like Rupert is being presented as an angry and unreasonable man that is only out for the money (he did make $10 million for his efforts) but I can understand why he was like that.

I found myself feeling both angry and sad reading this book and by the end I was furious, as my long suffering partner had to listen to me rant about. I felt that the author was so disrespectful and dismissive of the troubles in Ireland. He condescendingly finishes up by telling the reader an anecdote about an oblivious 19 year-old shop assistant who apparently knows nothing of the troubles of the IRA, all because she brushed off his questions about the release of McKevitt when in fact she most likely brushed off his questions because that is what we do. When you have grown up in a country that was so badly damaged because of sectarian violence, you learn from a young age that when strangers come asking questions you don’t answer either way, smile and dodge! Finally, the author finished the book essentially with the message of there is no further violence or unrest in Northern Ireland because the American came in and saved our poor savage country. Completely, dismissing the increasing tensions in Northern Ireland and the impact that Brexit has had on any semblance of peace in Northern Ireland (this book was released in 2019, so it is not like the author couldn’t have actually addressed this).

Ultimately, I would give this book 2 stars and both of those stars are because David Rupert’s story is an interesting tale and one that I was glad to read. Unfortunately, the book does not do justice for David Rupert, the people of Northern or Southern Ireland or the history (and ongoing) troubles of Northern Ireland and the border towns.

What I would love is to read is David and Maureen Rupert’s story in their own words, written by them without a journalist in the middle.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading mystery novels but occasionally I enjoy true life books and this one fits the bill perfectly. This book tells how David Rupert, a trucking manager from New York, took an holiday to Ireland and ended up rising to the very top of the Real IRA, all while working for the FBI and British intelligence. He became one of Britain’s most valued spies, brought down the entire IRA structure, and made $10 million dollars in the process. This is no ordinary story.
David Rupert found himself in terrifying situations and was involved in major terrorist operations, set up an Iraqi sting operation and was organising U.S. arms shipments with a man being trained to kill the then British prime minister, Tony Blair.
This is a remarkable story, in which many lives were saved by the heroics of David Rupert, working for years within one of the most brutal and ruthless terrorist organisations in the world.
This book tells an incredible story that not only makes an excellent read but more so because it really happened.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Mirror Books for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading mystery novels but occasionally I enjoy true life books and this one fits the bill perfectly. This book tells how David Rupert, a trucking manager from New York, took an holiday to Ireland and ended up rising to the very top of the Real IRA, all while working for the FBI and British intelligence. He became one of Britain’s most valued spies, brought down the entire IRA structure, and made $10 million dollars in the process. This is no ordinary story.
David Rupert found himself in terrifying situations and was involved in major terrorist operations, set up an Iraqi sting operation and was organising U.S. arms shipments with a man being trained to kill the then British prime minister, Tony Blair.
This is a remarkable story, in which many lives were saved by the heroics of David Rupert, working for years within one of the most brutal and ruthless terrorist organisations in the world.
This book tells an incredible story that not only makes an excellent read but more so because it really happened.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Mirror Books for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Roger Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entralling piece of work.
As a writer, I get little time to read for pleasure so having started Sean O'Driscoll's The Accidental Spy, I was determined to have some me time this Easter. Well, Easter's been and gone; I couldn't put it down. This is a fascinating true story of how an average Joe in the US ended up infiltrated in to the highest level of The Real IRA; and brought it down. O'Driscoll should be congratulated on a piece of work of the highest level; the pain-staking research and the way the he narrates the story with neutrality to ensure a captive readership from all, is expertly done. It also deals with tragic events with compassion and is a great reminder - should anyone need it - how a return to troubles in Northern Ireland must never be allowed to prosper. Especially, in light of very recent events. Though, the latter should not discourage anyone with an interest in those times to pick this book up. All asides it is a fascinating story, which you could be forgiven in thinking that you are reading a novel, such is the power of this story; made all the more amazing as it is all true. An enthralling read which is highly recommended.

[Gisela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary! I am embarrassed to say, my knowledge of the IRA was: a bunch of terrorists in Ireland, who hated the British because of how the Irish had been treated, by the British occupying army, a few hundred years past. And, as my progress through this opened my eyes to my sheer ignorance, I would say to myself, ‘This all happened when you were tiny. Ireland’s on the other side of the world and you were still at school.’
I’ve learnt an enormous amount from this and can honestly say I was shocked by the revelations of what the IRA actually are: a bunch of murderous criminals, with only one aim - money, money, money. A mafia: a bunch of heartless, hardened criminals.
The story of how the accidental spy became a FBI & MI-5 informant is incredible and reads like a thriller. He helped put some very bad people in prison for a long time and now he is in witness protection somewhere. I don’t know if I should admire him (he certainly is a brave man), envy him, applaud him or feel sorry for him. They, the FBI, might well be seen as having twisted his arm at the outset, but he definitely took to the job like a duck to water.
It is great read; and for me, a shameful ignoramus, a lesson in modern history.

[Ann T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Mirror Books And Netgalley for this ARC.

This spy book gave me a background into the IRA and part of Ireland’s history that I didn’t know last about. It was an interesting portrayal of true events. Reading this book has made me interested in reading more broadly around this period.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be a movie.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2003, Michael McKevitt, one time head of the Real IRA, was convicted in the Republic of Ireland for “membership of an illegal organisation” (the Real IRA) and “directing terrorism”. He received a substantial prison term: 20 years. Despite various appeals and attempts to have his convictions overturned, he has failed. How he came to be convicted is told in the Accidental Spy, and was largely the work of one man, David Rupert, an informant who infiltrated the Real IRA under the direction of the American FBI and Britain’s MI5.

This is, in fact, the second book to look at the downfall of Michael McKevitt and the war against the Real IRA. The first book to explore this story was a now out-of-print title, Black Operations, by the journalists John Mooney and Michael O’Toole. This earlier title, while relying on Rupert’s testimony, also looked at the wider context of the Irish and British state’s attempts to crush the Real IRA. The Accidental Spy, meanwhile, is much more focused on Rupert. The author, Sean O’Driscoll, managed to make contact with him despite the fact that he is currently in witness protection, his life at risk from Irish Republicans' wrath. This is not to say that O’Driscoll doesn’t tell Rupert’s story in context, he does, just that this is much more the story of Rupert and how this American trucker came to infiltrate, and almost single-handedly, bring down a terrorist group.

Rupert was at first a reluctant agent. After businesses had gone bust and two marriages had failed he began drinking in an Irish bar in Florida where he had moved to. He quickly became friends with a woman who was a member of NORAID, the IRA supporting organisation in the United States who lobbies for the group and raises funds for them. Through her, he was introduced to other Republicans and soon was on friendly terms with some with dubious contacts. It was then that the FBI came calling. They advised Rupert to work for them, compelled him to really, laying out all they knew about him - the failed businesses and marriages, etc. After some arm-twisting, Rupert agreed, but he soon took to the task with gusto.

Rupert was and is a big man, both in size and personality, and it wasn’t long before he had inveigled himself within the circles of more and more senior people within the movement. Soon he moved to Ireland, buying a pub with FBI funds and it was here that he quickly became a central figure in the cause, meeting and befriending McKevitt. The FBI introduced Rupert to MI5 and together the two organisations ran him and directed him until he in effect brought down the leadership of the real IRA.

The Accidental Spy and the tale it tells is reminiscent of other books which tell the story of agents and informants recruited amongst terror groups. A good example is Agent Storm, which tells the story of Morton Storm, a Danish former biker gang member who after converting to Islam joined al Qaeda before being recruited by intelligence services to spy on the group. Morton Storm and David Rupert are alike in many ways: both to a lesser or greater extent had fallen off the tracks and had CV’s that were troubled, and both are evidence that the police and intelligence services sometimes have to get their hands dirty and work with people who are far from whiter than white in order to infiltrate and bring down organised crime gangs and terror groups.

The Accidental Spy is a great book and a story grippingly told. This is a real insight into dissident Republicanism, one man’s extraordinary recruitment as an agent in the heart of a terror group, and a window into the methods the police and intelligence services use to tackle some of the gravest threats our societies face.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book. Peels the layers back on the IRA, and it's campaigns to remove the British government from Ireland.
It's told through the eyes of David Rupert, a man with many flaws, who infiltrated the IRA and helped bring down it's paramilitary wing. The book reads like a fiction spy novel, but it actually happened. The author provides plenty of documentation to back up the story.
The author makes you feel like you are there, in the room with Rupert as deals for arms and money were being made. You will feel the frustrations of Rupert, as he deals with the American and British spy organizations, and come to understand their frustrations with him.
I came away with a deeper understanding of the Irish "troubles", and the reasons behind them.
The book itself is well written, flows very well, and keeps the reader interested.
I did stumble a bit over the number and names of the characters, there were a lot of them.
Highly recommend!

[Mary Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time we ever visited Ireland, we met an Irish couple in Dublin. They told us all sorts of interesting places to see, but warned us not to go to Northern Ireland; there was still "trouble" there. We didn't go north, but I never knew how bad it was.
A friend from my husband's hometown recently gave us this book to read since it was about David Rupert, a former student of his. Rupert grew up in the North Country of New York State , just as my husband and his friend had. Rupert became a truck driver and inadvertently, a spy for the FBI and British intelligence. He managed his way into the "trrorist" network in Northern Ireland and became one of the most valuable spies ever! What an interesting read about spying and the history of Ireland in recent times -- And it is TRUE!

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible and frightening account of the infiltration of an American FBI/MI5 spy into the upper echelons of Irish republican terrorist groups. David Rupert's clandestine actions that resulted in major convictions of leading figures, the exposure of the participants in the Omagh bombing and the shutting down of attempted arms procurements.
Sean O'Driscoll with the aid of Rupert's precise memory has documented the fine detail of the many years spent spying, when one false move would result in a bullet in the back of the head. A particularly harrowing account of the Omagh tragedy is included in the text.
Hope the spook has a good hiding place back in the U.S.

[Brendan Morphett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting true story about an American man who manages to find himself in Ireland and becomes a spy for the FBI and MI5 against the IRA. The plot reads like what you would expect from a great spy novel however is a completely true story. The only let down with the book was the haphazard writing style. Most of the book is told in third person, however the author occasionally drops into first person perspective with no real warning. Overall a great read, especially for those who are fans of true crime or history books in general.

[Ricky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very informative of events that happened in Ireland over many years, when the IRA were planning and planting bombs for their cause. David Rupert an American FBI/MI5 spy gives a detailed account of many planned actions of the IRA and how they funded and carried out many atrocities over a number of years. Rupert needed nerves of steel to carry on with his double life; he managed to pull it off by being friends with the higher echelon of the real IRA and gaining their trust. It's a fascinating account of a spy who lived on the edge, and stayed alive to tell the tale.

[Andrei Rydzkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fascinating to anyone interested in Irish politics. It is a brilliantly written account of a trucker from New York who ends up reporting to both the FBI and MI5 to bring about the fall of the Real IRA. Sean O'Driscoll captures the atmosphere perfectly of just how close Rupert the trucker comes to being identified by the Real IRA. His tone remains fairly neutral throughout which is often very difficult to do when writing about the topic of espionage.

[Mike North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept thinking this must be fiction but it is not. A trucker who becomes an FBI and MI5 agent while sitting on the ruling council of a very deadly Irish terrorist group and gets his fruend, its leader, sent away for 20 years. An excellent insight into an unknown world, one i knew very little about.

[John Rosborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, I have lived through the thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland, this book gives some insight into the workings of the dissident groups who did not agree with the Good Friday agreement & wanted to continue murdering innocent people on both communities. The bravery of David Rubert in helping to bring these groups was was amazing & should be congratulated

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Read

What a book? I could hardly put this book down. I was riveted. So well written and researched. I usually read fiction but this “docubook” wasn’t too far from my normal genre so I thought I’d give it a go. And what a great call that was. I recommend this book to avid Crime, Political or really any genre readers as it is gripping from the beginning.

[Philip Mcgowan]

Just read this book. I am from Tullaghan co Leitrim where David had pub. Great rate. Sums him up perfectly. However
character of local people portrayed was inaccurate. Other than that accurate in portrayal of story l.
Excellent read. I knew David to see. Flamboyant character.
Shocked with developments later.
As a non fiction it is a must to read

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, though a bit confusing with a lot of different characters and not very well-written. I grew up in Dundalk, and my family now lives in Blackrock, so many of the locations were familiar to me.

The book needs better editing, the Fairways hotel was sometimes referred to as Fairmont or Fairview

[Ronald Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about this book when I read Roger Pryor's review of it. I figured if a whodunit, spy story writing ex detective liked it, it'd probably be worth looking at.

I have to say I also found this to be an absolutely gripping story, the impact of which was even greater since it's a true story. Truth being stranger than fiction, and all that.

My only difficulty with author O'Driscoll's book doesn't even have anything to do with his writing style, but I've experienced the same issue every other time I've read about The Troubles (fictional or otherwise): it's very hard for me to keep all the different splinter groups clear in my mind. I mean, Real IRA, Provos, Cumann ná mBhan, Irish National Liberation Army, and who belongs to which one... I can't! Got a headache trying to keep 'em clear.

That being said, I feel that Sean O'Driscoll did an outstanding job relating this unknown part of Irish and American history in as neutral a way possible. Read The Accidental Spy if you want an exciting, suspenseful read. This is a story that deserves to be read.

[Carl Sweeting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Lacks the usual egotistical machismo of spy biographies which is its major strength making the whole recounting of events real and believable. No author could make up a story like this which makes it such a gripping read. Well written with plenty of hooks dragging you through it.

[Michael ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revealing

Knew very little about this story. Very informative. Want to read more about The Troubles. Good luck David and Maureen.

[Ciara Herity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was intrigued by the subject matter and found it a captivating tale. All the more fascinating as documenting true life events.

[Calum Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. An inside look into this America blue collar journey into the IRA, spying for the FBI and MI5. Not action filled and more of a slow descriptor. Easy read.

[Maryanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting to read how an "every day man" risked so much to help end violence

[William McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and revelatory

One of the best books to emerge post conflict. It reads like a thriller, and has a unique tale to tell.

[Diane Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating!

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating true story of how an ordinary American man, David Rupert, becomes a spy in Ireland for both the Americans and the British. This book has been thoroughly researched and the major source of information is interviews with those involved including Rupert himself.

The huge number of different people, many with similar names, makes the book a little challenging to follow, particularly if you don't have a good grasp of the unrest in Ireland through the second half of the 20th century. That said, I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in this particular area of history. O'Driscoll writes with a good balance of journalistic reporting and humour. Although his disclaimer at the end of the book states that the book is not intended to be a David Rupert biography, I found myself most intrigued by his background story and the part he played.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an engrossing and captivating memoir.

The Accidental Spy is about David Rupert, a bored trucking manager from New York, took a vacation one day to Ireland and ended up rising to the very top of the Real IRA, all while working for the FBI and British intelligence.

We learn that he became one of Britain’s most valued spies, brought down the entire IRA structure, and made $10 million dollars in the process.

Along the way though, he found himself in the most extraordinary and terrifying situations. He was involved in major terrorist operations, set up an Iraqi sting operation and was organizing U.S. arms shipments with a man being trained to kill the then British prime minister, Tony Blair.