MI5 agent Denis ‘The Rat’ McFadden penetrated the leaderships of Saoradh and its military win, the New IRA
The dissident republican was recently detained at Bristol airport whilst travelling to England with another republican, who was also approached.
Saoradh claims he was initially approached by ‘British Military Intelligence’ who offered him a briefcase full of money in a bid to encourage traditional Republicans to reject revolutionary republicanism.
Following his refusal to engage with them, it is alleged MI5 sent the Derry republican a follow up text message stating that money is no object if he is willing to speak with them.
The MI5 approaches have been slammed by Saoradh representative Paddy Gallagher.
The Derry republican said: “Since the start of 2024 we have seen a huge increase in approaches by MI5 on Republicans from across the Occupied Six Counties.
“The pattern evolving from these approaches has seen the individuals who have been targeted subsequently arrested with their homes violently raided once going public.”
Gallagher added: “There is no shame in being approached, the only shame is in working for them.
Purported text message from MI5 operative to Derry dissident republican
“One that, judging by history, can only result in death or complete expulsion from your home, family and ordinary life.”
Saoradh said in a statement: “Following this latest approach, we would again like to reiterate our support for anyone coming forward with such information.
“We encourage anyone who faces this type of harassment and intimidation at the hands of British Military Intelligence to contact your local Saoradh representative and a solicitor immediately.”
In 2021, Denis McFadden was revealed as the MI5 agent who penetrated both Saoradh and the New IRA leaderships which led to the charging of ten people linked to a covert surveillance operation against the dissident republican grouping during two secretly bugged meetings in rented houses in Co Tyrone.
Dubbed by dissidents as ‘Denis The Rat’, McFadden rented out the houses for the meetings allowing MI5 operatives to enter the properties and install microphones and video surveillance cameras inside.
Two weeks before police mounted an arrest operation against the suspects in the summer of 2021, codenamed ‘Operation Arbacia’, McFadden was moved out of his home in Glengormley, Co Antrim along with his wife and their young child by MI5 and put up in a safe house at its base in Holywood, Co Down.
They have now been relocated under new identities to mainland UK.
Despite his deep cover role with MI5 in ‘Operation Arbacia’, McFadden will not be called to testify by the prosecution at the 2025 trial of the ten people charged with terrorism offences.
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