Double Agent: My Secret Life Undercover in the IRA

by Kevin Fulton

'"I am a British soldier," I told my reflection. "I am a British soldier and I'm saving lives. I'm saving lives. I'm a British soldier and I'm saving lives..."'

Kevin Fulton was one of the British Army's most successful intelligence agents. Having been recruited to infiltrate the Provisional IRA at the height of The Troubles, he rose its ranks to an unprecedented level. Living and working undercover, he had no option other than to take part in heinous criminal activities, including the production of bombs which he knew would later kill. So highly was he valued by IRA leaders that he was promoted to serve in its infamous internal police - ironically, his job was now to root out and kill informers.

Until one day in 1994, when it all went wrong. . . Fleeing Northern Ireland, Kevin was abandoned by the security services he had served so courageously and left to live as a fugitive. The life of a double agent requires constant vigilance, for danger is always just a heartbeat away. For a double agent within the highest ranks of the IRA, that danger was doubled. In this remarkable account, Kevin Fulton - former intelligence agent, ex-member of the IRA - tells a truth that is as uncomfortable as it is gripping.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Biography, Ireland, Politics, Military Fiction

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2019

Reviews

[gareth cahoon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Double Agent

This book is full of holes and the last part of the book is written in a different way. I'd take all this with a pinch of salt. It doesn't even make a good story line for a movie lol

[Ian Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. Kevin Fulton is an mazing man.

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have Irish genes, but I am certainly not qualified to discuss the rights and wrongs in the troubles. This book is the personal account of one man working for the British Army, therefore it is obviously a one sided account, however, I struggled with his adoration of the Army, given his roots, and how he was then surprised by how they treated him - it was late enough in the conflict to know how they operated, surely?

I also have to say that, when I read some of the reviews for this audiobook, people were saying that the narrator had a false Northern Irish accent, badly done. I enjoyed listening to the narrator, who is a Northern Irishman!! I hope those reviews made him smile!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad book at all. 'Kevin Fulton' relates what happened to him when he left the British Army. From his recruitment by the British Security Service, with the intention of infiltrating the IRA as high as possible, then feeding any intelligence back to his handlers. There was always the promise of a new identity and a sizeable amount of cash available to him if and when his cover was blown. After over a decade of working his way up through the ranks of the IRA, Fulton's cover was compromised, but his British handlers failed to keep their promise of a new life, with money. According to Fulton's account, he was left high and dry, on the run, and still fearing for his life. According to the book, at the time of publication, Fulton was trying many ways to prove that he was telling the truth and all he wanted in return was his new identity and the money he'd been promised.
It was a good read, with plenty of detail about Fulton's exploits as a soldier of the IRA, and the effect his lifestyle had not only on him, but his family and friends, too.

[Mr Allan Goldie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with the news full of the troubles in Northern Ireland……and knew a couple of soldiers who did tours of duty during the worst of times. I also met several RUC Officers who had experienced the really tough times and lived a cloak and dagger existence which was a way of life to them. This is a tense book to read. I was aware that there must have been double agents located and infiltrated into the IRA. The book is very descriptive of this particular soldier who was selected and became infiltrated into the terrorist organisation. It was a great read for me and he fully describes the incidents he was directly involved in and the risk to his own life existed every day for years. He successfully saved the lives of many soldiers and police but leaders within the group became suspicious of him and he was brought in fir questioning by the IRA command and was clearly likely to be heading towards execution and disposal which happened to others. The pace of the book increases in the last few chapters when he realises that his ruthless interrogator is likely a double agent too but one who is so infiltrated into the command that he will be prepared to kill and dispose of this particular double agent in order to build himself more into the terrorist team. The eye opener for me was that this agents handlers from the security services refused to extract him from his role….as they needed the work of the interrogator to build on his agent role and were prepared to sacrifice this author. He thereby extracted himself and escaped into hiding. During my of time reading the book I also looked up the details on line about the name people in the book and learned more of what had been happening around the involvement and work of this agent. It was a great read and had me engrossed throughout the book.

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: Really enjoyed listening to this. What a story. Can’t say I knew a great deal about the IRA besides the obvious things so this was a real eye opener and an interesting read. At times I thought surely he would push harder to be pulled out but then you realise he was a bit naive listening to his handlers and believing them. They didn’t care what happened to him. He got in so deep in the organisation, the stress of leading a double life must’ve been horrible and lying to family. Would highly recommend a listen/read.

[clanger3920 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double agent hung out to die

An interesting story of the recruitment use of and then abandonment of an asset once it has served its purpose of had been compromised.
When an asset feels they have reached the end of the road they should be supported not hung out to dry or die.
This is in deed a very murky world where it's in clear who trust and your only as good as your last report in.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

About an informant for British Intelligence that infiltrated the IRA and his betrayal and denial by British Intelligence. He was set up to be killed by another informant to avoid the expense of his salary and relocation as well as increasing the credibility of the other informant. Eventually he is vindicated but still a pariah in Ireland with no protection from the British government.

[Lewis Birrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent audio book. A fascinating insight into British intelligence and informants during The Troubles, and also an interesting delve into the inner workings of the IRA in ‘bandit country’. Hope Kevin eventually gets the money and security he deserves for putting his life on the line in the way he did.

[Michael Hanley]

Whether it's true or not, the account shows that the troubles was not about good vs evil, right vs wrong, freedom vs control. It was just a blood soaked period of history perpetuated by thugs on both sides who were out to settle scores rather than seek a peaceful resolution.

[steven smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

An absolutely brilliant book uncovering what everyone who has an ounce of sense knows that the British government like all world governments are very corrupt this guy is a hero who I would love to meet

[peter.goldgmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, the scary truth!

A really well written book, but pretty disturbing how dark undercover work "has" to be. Kudos to those that live their lives at such risk only to be let down by the government.

[bob hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good read and not the first time I have heard the same outcome from exdouble agents a disgusting way to treat someone who put their life on the line for others I have great respect for these people they are the medal winners, not entertainers

[Thelma Gabbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit disappointing story. Gave good insight to the workings of the IRA however didn't go into much detail of what information he passed on except for omagh. Don't understand why he was so surprised they turned their back on him

[Stella Maybury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pedestrian writing, but a fascinating account.

[Robert Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

writing a bit monotonous; story interesting

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite fascinating a read. I hope that the author is still living and fighting for justice. Not just for himself but also for those who lost loved ones during the troubles.

[chris hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Shortish read but interesting i have to write 11 more words and i won't do this again. Will it recommend some more books based on a review?

[Darren Haycock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Awesome read incredible to think he did it for so long, opened my eyes up to the IRA and how they operate

[Rob Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

A view into what people did and risked during the troubles to save lives.....worth a read

[Olivia Hessey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting and well written. Crazy that this is real life for someone and time will tell what the final outcome will be.....

[Dave B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book which if only 50% true, paints a grim picture of life within the terrorist organisation. Book loses its way towards the end. But nonetheless a good read.

[Walter Embleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Di#turbing

Lays bare the murky dealings of our security services.
Kevin Fulton lived a terrifying life as a double agent.
A hero to some, a traitor to others.
Unputdownable book.

[Arnold Masayila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly an interesting book.

I was lead to this book by the brilliant “The Troubles Podcast” which I would also highly recommend.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting story of a double agent infiltrating the IRA, a bit inconsistent towards the end. With so many double agents it feels like the whole organisation is made of secret agents.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Eye opening.

[Bethan Edge · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the life of a double agent throughout the Troubles. Wasn’t always easy to read or follow along. The author was also a bit too repetitive about himself.

[Laura Diver · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is deluded by his perceived self importance

[Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner for sure. However, there is a huge gap in his story after he escaped his 3rd interrogation.

[Stephen Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Very interesting read was glued to it. I just love a good hardcore undercover story and this is second to none.