The Informer

Being branded as an Irish informer is to some the highest form of ostracism and disgrace. This book allows the reader to meet one. Most importantly it gives a close look at the situation that produced this person's story. Long ago General Barry wrote that the IRA in the Anglo-Irish War had to be judged on a county by county basis. Some were good men and some weren't honorable and some would not fight. What would the General think of men who trick a young teenager into killing another human being? In fairness to the author and the book, one must evaluate the situation as rigourously as the actions of O'Callaghan. In this light O'Callaghan's acts are brave and they sacrafice an identity he held with total conviction. I suspect that if the General read this book his shame would focus, not on O'Callghan, but on those men who hid behind boys and took advantage of their courage as they grew into men with a sense of bravery and morality that some of their elders lacked. Read this book and pretend the gun was in your hand. What would you do ?

I was of the opinion that if someone had murdered then it is virtually unforgivable. I now have nothing but admiration for Sean. Once he realised that killing was not the answer and he set about thwarting IRA operations from the many posts he held, it showed a side of him that took tremendous courage and the cost to his personal relationships were more than I think most of us could accept. His courage and brinkmanship in his hunger and thirst strikes filled me with admiration for a man who's only desire is to see lasting peace in Ireland. I wish him well in all his ongoing unsung efforts to help secure peace in Ireland. If Sean had a magic wand I would like to know waht he would do to secure peace in Ireland

This is a remarkable story, of how a member of a terrorist organisation can come to recognise its true nature, and of the courage and ability to then become an effective agent and informer to frustrate its operation. Sean is a brave man who is still on an IRA death list, and was under no illusions about the risks he took when he began to work with the Irish police. While he has turned his back on violence, he shows understanding and even compassion for the destructive effect of terrorism on its young, naive recruits, as well as on its victims. If you want to know what the IRA is like, read this book.

This is a book that should be read by everyone. Sean O'Callahan is a gifted writer who is not afraid of speaking up for his convictions. He tells the story of the Irish "Problem" so well and so succintly. You can feel the feelings that he has and want to be there to support him.

This is the definitive work for our time on the question of Northern Ireland and how it relates to British politics and world politics in the area of post-colonial rationilization and adjustment. A must for all students of conflict resolution problems. This man has suffered and writes from his experience. Read it.