Agents of Influence: Britain’s Secret Intelligence War Against the IRA

by Aaron Edwards

Recruited by British Intelligence to infiltrate the IRA and Sinn Féin during the height of the Northern Ireland Troubles, they were ‘agents of influence’. With codenames like INFLICTION, STAKEKNIFE, 3007 and CAROL, these spies played a pivotal role in the fight against Irish republicanism. Now, for the first time, some of these agents have emerged from the shadows to tell their compelling stories. Agents of Influence takes you behind the scenes of the secret intelligence war which helped bring the IRA’s armed struggle to an end. Historian Aaron Edwards, the critically acclaimed author of UVF: Behind the Mask, explains how the IRA was penetrated by British agents, with explosive new revelations about the hidden agendas of prominent republicans like Martin McGuinness and Freddie Scappaticci and lesser-known ones like Joe Haughey and John Joe Magee. Bringing to light recently declassified TOP SECRET documents and the first-hand testimonies of agents and their handlers, Edwards reveals how British Intelligence gained extraordinary access to the IRA’s inner circle and manipulated them into engaging with the peace process. With new insights into the spy masters behind the scenes, their strategies and tactics, and operations in Europe, the United States and beyond, Agents of Influence offers a rare and shocking glimpse into betrayal at the heart of Irish republicanism during the vicious decades of the Troubles.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ireland, Politics, 20th Century

320 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2021

About the author

Welcome to my Goodreads Page!

I’m a reader first and a writer second.

My several books include the critically acclaimed Mad Mitch’s Tribal Law: Aden and the End of Empire (Transworld Books, 2014; paperback 2015) and UVF: Behind the Mask (Merrion Press, 2017).

I have taught in the Faculty for the Study of Leadership, Security and Warfare at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since 2008, traveling the world to instruct on global security challenges, including terrorism, war and peace.

In my spare time beyond reading, writing and teaching I love walking, trekking and running.

Reviews

[Derek Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belfast born historian and lecturer in defence and international affairs Aaron Edwards charts just how comprehensively British Intelligence infiltrated the provisional IRA and Sinn Féin during the height of the Troubles.

While we know the codenames and stories of some of the Brits most infamous agents, such as Stakeknife and Infliction, it seems the penetration of the Provos by the British Army’s notorious FRU (Force Research Unit) was both deeper and higher than thought – though how much we can now believe either side from a murky battle where truth was the first, but alas not the only casualty, is a question the reader should ask themselves throughout.

Nonetheless, Edwards attempts to tell the story fairly by way of now declassified documents and the first-hand testimonies of agents and their handlers. The book is a follow-up to his 2017 work: UVF: Behind the Mask a history of the vicious loyalist terrorist group from its post-1965 incarnation through its sickening list of atrocities, such as McGurk’s Bar, the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the Miami Showband massacre.

[K Mulholland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This book is a very interesting read for anyone interested in the Northern Ireland troubles. It's a chronology of the development of the infiltration of the IRA.

[Edoardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure it was well written or had a common theme, or even answered the questions it set itself. Still interesting though.

[QuakerHat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not unsurprisingly a book written by an academic at Sandhurst (Britain's elite military academy) this work is tremendously generous regarding the motives and relative criminality of the British state, in particular that of the military. There is little allusion to why this conflict was happening or indeed to what extent it was prolonged by people with sectarian intent in mind within the state. This is in part to be expected, but there are plenty of passages in which it is clear the basic logic at hand is one of 'good men doing their best in a difficult situation against ruthless terrorists'. This is of course a relative fantasy.

There are a number of interesting insights regarding informants in the Provisional IRA but in most cases I have read much greater detail including direct interviews with these figures elsewhere. There are much more incisive books on this subject with better sources that will actually be critical of both sides of the conflict equally and if you want a blunter view of the actions of IRA and INLA informants and their interaction with the British state generally you are much better off reading the work of people who are much closer to those movements.

Note on the audiobook*

It is well spoken and articulate. Very standard for this kind of book.

2/5

[Chris Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and methodical style of writing which is its strength and weakness. Id suggest it to read on top of other more comprehensive books because it does lack some context despite bring mainly chronological. It fills in a lot of details missing in other books.

It feels like it was originally longer but has been edited down quite substantially with references to other incidents or events not mentioned in the text.
Easily sorted with a quick google search but maybe sloppy editing nonetheless. The topic certainly warrants a longer book (235 pages)

For anyone with an interest in the topic and who has already read around it id say its an essential read

[RogeMaHodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly well informed, this will serve as a superb resource to anyone researching the issues involved, particularly the development of the State's intelligence operation.

For the interested observer, however, it lacks an overall narrative that one can engage with. Whilst not adopting an overtly academic style, it is certainly a research oriented book.

[Peter Magill · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a few new insights but many of the references have been examined in other publications. It was probably best at detailing the timeline of government policy and the interactions between agencies.

[Mark Durrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A robust account of the intelligence war in NI.

An up-to-date a point of the 'cloak and daggers' war going on under the noses of NO citizens for 30+ years. Definitely worth reading.

[Angela Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into British Intelligence and their infiltration of the IRA & Sinn Fein.

[William Horan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another worthwhile book well written and researched. This book adds to our understanding of "The Dirty War" and is a must read for anyone interested in the history of the troubles

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so interesting. I’m not sure of the publication date but other books fill in some of the unknowns in this book. I don’t recall anything new.